Embracing Neurodiversity: Why JASPER Is a Powerful, Affirming Therapy for Your Child
- Nikki McRory
- May 14
- 5 min read
At McRory Pediatric Services, Inc., we believe every child deserves to be celebrated for who they are. As a trusted leader in pediatric therapy across Los Angeles County for over 21 years, our mission is to provide compassionate, evidence-based care that honors individuality, fosters connection, and empowers families.If you’re searching for a therapy model that respects your child’s uniqueness and supports authentic development, understanding neurodiversity and the JASPER intervention is an essential first step.
What Is Neurodiversity—and Why Does It Matter?
Neurodiversity is the understanding that neurological differences—like autism, ADHD, and other developmental variations—are natural and valuable forms of human diversity. A neurodiversity-affirming approach does not try to “fix” a child but instead recognizes and supports their authentic way of being.
The Benefits of Neurodiversity-Affirming Care:
✅ Reduces stigma and fosters acceptance
✅ Builds self-esteem and emotional well-being
✅ Encourages authentic relationships and communication
✅ Focuses on strengths, not deficits
✅ Supports autonomy and self-advocacy
At McRory Pediatric Services, we embrace neurodiversity across all our programs—including speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, ABA, and early intervention services.
What Is JASPER?
JASPER stands for Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation. Developed by Dr. Connie Kasari and her team at UCLA, this innovative, play-based intervention is designed to support autistic and neurodivergent children in developing core social communication and emotional regulation skills.
Unlike traditional, compliance-based therapies, JASPER is rooted in developmental science and deeply aligned with neurodiversity-affirming values. It is:
📍 Child-led
📍 Play-based
📍 Evidence-backed
📍 Strengths-focused
What Makes JASPER a Neurodiversity-Affirming Therapy?
At McRory Pediatric Services, we recognize that every child experiences the world differently—and that those differences are not deficits, but part of what makes them who they are. JASPER (Joint Attention, Symbolic Play, Engagement, and Regulation) is a standout model in early intervention because it embraces this truth. Here's how JASPER embodies neurodiversity-affirming principles:
💬 1. Respects Authentic Communication
Rather than expecting children to conform to neurotypical styles of interaction, JASPER honors each child’s unique way of expressing themselves. Whether your child communicates through gestures, sounds, echolalia, or AAC, JASPER starts from that foundation and builds upward.
Therapists respond to the child’s communication style without demanding eye contact or verbal speech as a prerequisite for participation.
The emphasis is on connection over correction—valuing shared moments and intentionality over form.
By reducing pressure to "perform" or mask behaviors, children are free to engage as their full, authentic selves.
⭐ 2. Focuses on Strengths and Interests
Neurodivergent children often have strong preferences, passions, and unique ways of exploring the world. JASPER harnesses these interests as the engine for growth—not as distractions to redirect.
Instead of steering the child toward predetermined goals, JASPER therapists join in your child’s play themes and follow their natural curiosity.
Learning opportunities are embedded in joyful experiences, which makes the process intrinsically motivating and personally relevant.
This approach builds confidence, deepens engagement, and supports sustainable skill development rooted in what already brings your child joy.
🧘 3. Supports Emotional Regulation
Emotional regulation is the ability to recognize, express, and manage emotions—is a foundational skill for all children, and it can be especially important for neurodivergent learners who may experience the world more intensely or differently. JASPER supports this development through gentle, attuned interaction that respects a child’s sensory profile, emotional needs, and developmental level.
Here’s how JASPER fosters emotional regulation in a natural and meaningful way:
Predictable, Relationship-Based Interaction:
JASPER sessions are built on consistent routines and familiar play contexts. This predictability helps children feel safe and reduces anxiety, creating an ideal environment for learning to regulate emotions.
Co-Regulation Through Play:
Rather than teaching self-regulation in isolation, JASPER focuses on co-regulation—where the therapist or caregiver helps the child navigate big emotions in real time. For example, if a child becomes frustrated during a play routine, the therapist supports them with soothing language, pauses, and adjustments that validate their feelings while helping them return to engagement.
Embedded Regulation Strategies:
JASPER therapists integrate calming strategies into play—such as breathing cues, pacing, or sensory modulation—based on the child’s responses. These are not taught as “compliance tools” but as collaborative, respectful supports that the child can internalize over time.
Respect for Sensory and Emotional Boundaries:
JASPER honors a child’s cues. If a child is overstimulated, the therapist will follow their lead to shift gears or offer breaks—modeling flexibility and emotional attunement, which are critical skills for future regulation.
Support for Emotional Expression:
As children develop symbolic play and joint attention, they also begin to explore and express a broader range of emotions. JASPER helps expand these abilities by encouraging pretend scenarios, facial expression mirroring, and shared emotional moments during play—all of which deepen a child’s understanding of themselves and others.
🤝 4. Empowers Families as Partners
True neurodiversity-affirming care involves caregivers as active partners. JASPER actively involves families in the process, giving caregivers the tools to understand, connect with, and support their child in meaningful ways.
Parents are coaches and collaborators, not passive observers.
JASPER-trained professionals provide ongoing modeling, feedback, and encouragement tailored to your family's daily routines and values.
The goal is not to “fix” the child, but to equip families with strategies that nurture the child’s natural development and deepen family connection.
In a world where many interventions still ask children to conform to external standards, JASPER offers something different: a compassionate, evidence-based model that meets children where they are—and walks with them, not ahead of them, on their developmental journey.
What Does a Neurodiversity-Affirming JASPER Session Look Like?
Session Element | What It Looks Like | Neurodiversity-Affirming Principle |
🧸 Child-Led Play | The therapist joins the child in stacking blocks, following their lead in a pretend tower-building game. | Honors autonomy and intrinsic motivation; supports authentic communication. |
💬 Responsive Interaction | The child gestures toward a toy, and the therapist responds by labeling it and joining the play without demanding speech. | Respects the child’s communication style; no pressure to mask or perform. |
🧘 Co-Regulation Moments | When the child becomes overwhelmed, the therapist slows down, uses a calming voice, and follows the child’s cue to take a break. | Validates sensory/emotional needs; models flexible, compassionate support. |
🎭 Symbolic Play Expansion | The child pretends a dinosaur is eating, and the therapist adds a silly voice for the dinosaur’s friend to join. | Encourages imagination, emotional expression, and shared joy. |
👨👩👧 Family Coaching | A caregiver watches and later practices the same play techniques, supported by therapist feedback. | Empowers families to support their child authentically at home. |
What to Expect from JASPER at McRory Pediatric Services
Our JASPER-trained therapists create joyful, engaging, and respectful environments where your child can thrive. We incorporate:
🎯 Child-Centered Sessions
🏡 Naturalistic Settings
🤝 Family Collaboration
🌟 Multidisciplinary Expertise
Research-Backed Outcomes
JASPER studies show improvements in:
🗣️ Spontaneous communication
🎲 Symbolic and imaginative play
🧠 Joint attention
😊 Engagement and emotional resilience
These are foundational skills for lifelong learning and connection.
Why Choose McRory for JASPER?
With locations in Tarzana and Santa Clarita, McRory Pediatric Services offers unmatched access to qualified therapists and personalized care. We are proud to offer JASPER as a cornerstone of our individualized, family-centered services—and to walk alongside you in your child’s journey with empathy, respect, and expertise.
Ready to Explore JASPER?
If you're curious about how JASPER could benefit your child or want to speak with a member of our team, we’re here to help.
📍 Visit us in Tarzana or Santa Clarita
💬 Let’s celebrate your child’s strengths and help them thrive—just as they are.