What is JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement and Regulation) therapy?
JASPER is a play-based therapy that aims to help children improve their social communication by focusing on joint attention, play, engagement and regulation.
Who is JASPER therapy for?
JASPER therapy is for autistic children and other children with social communication difficulties. It’s suitable for children aged 1-8 years.
What is JASPER therapy used for?
JASPER therapy is used to improve autistic children’s social communication skills. It focuses on the following skills.
Joint attention
This is when children share their attention between people and objects. For example, children might include others in play by showing objects.
Symbolic play
This is when children use objects for pretend or imaginative play. For example, children might pretend a doll can eat or imagine that a banana is a phone.
Engagement
This is when children actively take part and stay engaged in play. For example, children might start a play activity or take several turns with the same toys.
Regulation
This is when children manage their emotions and activity levels during play. For example, children might be excited and energetic during active play or calm and focused while making a collage.
Where does JASPER therapy come from?
JASPER therapy was developed in the early 2000s by Dr Connie Kasari at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). It came out of research on joint attention in the 1990s.
JASPER therapy draws on developmental principles like working with children in everyday, real-life settings and focusing on developmentally appropriate skills for children. It blends this with behavioural principles like guiding behaviour in a structured way using strategies like modelling and prompting.
What is the idea behind JASPER therapy for autistic children?
JASPER therapy is based on the idea that you can help children improve their social communication skills through play activities that involve sharing attention, using imagination, staying engaged and managing emotions.
What does JASPER therapy involve?
JASPER therapy usually involves a child and a JASPER-certified therapist working face to face in a clinic or classroom.
The therapy consists of 3 main parts:
- Initial assessment – the JASPER therapist assesses the child’s current play, communication and engagement skills. The therapist uses this assessment to plan the child’s goals in relation to joint attention, play, engagement and regulation.
- Therapy sessions – sessions usually last 45-60 minutes and happen 1-3 times a week for 3-6 months. Over this time, the therapist gives the child opportunities to learn and practise communication and play skills.
- Reassessment – the JASPER therapist reassesses the child’s play, communication and engagement skills. The therapist uses this assessment to develop new goals or conclude the therapy because the child has reached their goals.
Does JASPER therapy help autistic children?
High-quality research shows that JASPER therapy can improve children’s joint attention, play, engagement and communication skills.
JASPER therapy: concerns and controversy
Some autistic people feel that therapy that targets play skills, like JASPER therapy, is based on the idea that autistic children should behave the same as typically developing children. They say that this idea doesn’t respect neurodiversity. That is, it doesn’t accept and respect natural differences in how people’s brains work and how they understand and interact with the world. They say that play skills should be taught only in a careful and considered way.
Other people value therapy that teaches play skills because it increases opportunities for autistic children to join in with their peers.
If you’re thinking about JASPER therapy, it could be worth making sure your child can use and enjoy their natural play preferences while also learning specific play skills.
Who practises JASPER therapy?
Only JASPER-certified therapists can deliver JASPER therapy. JASPER therapists can come from many backgrounds, including speech pathology, psychology, occupational therapy and special education.
Parents and teachers can also be trained to use JASPER strategies at home or in the classroom.
Where can you find a JASPER practitioner?
If you’re interested in JASPER therapy for your autistic child, you can talk about it with your GP or one of the other professionals working with your child. You could also talk about it with your NDIA planner, early childhood partner or local area coordinator, if you have one.
Parent education, training, support and involvement
If your autistic child is doing JASPER therapy, usually you’ll have an active role.
Although JASPER therapy typically involves a therapist working directly with a child, in Australia it’s considered best for you to be at therapy sessions too. This way, you can help your child feel comfortable during the session, share your knowledge of your child’s interests with their therapist, and learn strategies for playing and interacting with your child. You can also help the therapist to monitor your child’s progress, especially by letting the therapist know how your child is using their JASPER skills at home, at preschool or in other settings.
Cost considerations
The cost of JASPER therapy depends on your therapist’s qualifications and how many hours a week of therapy your child has. Sessions can range from $90-$240 per session.
Some private health care funds might cover some of the consultation fee. If the provider has HICAPS, you can make a claim immediately.
You can contact the NDIS to find out whether you can include the cost of JASPER therapy in your child’s NDIS plan.
Therapies and supports for autistic children range from behavioural therapies and developmental approaches to medicines and alternative therapies. When you understand the main types of therapies and supports for autistic children, it’ll be easier to work out the approach that will best suit your child.