Ep 222 - The Joys and Shapes of Autistic Play by Max Alexander

In this warm and wonderfully meandering episode of The Forest School Podcast, Lewis and Wem dive into The Joys and Shapes of Autistic Play by Max Alexander. Nestled among tangents about shouting sparrowhawks, jewel-encrusted slugs, and beloved sticks, they explore how Max's taxonomy of autistic play shapes offers both validation and practical insights for outdoor educators. Together, they unpack play types like pancake stacking, relational mapping, and object harmonising, and reflect on how this lens supports more inclusive, curious, and non-judgemental practice. The conversation touches on inner worlds, the limits of Bob Hughes’ taxonomy, and the value of reframing behaviours through a neurodivergent-affirming perspective. With humour, honesty, and deep respect for Max’s work, this episode is a love letter to the strange, sincere, and silly world of play.

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⏱ Chapter Timings
00:00 – Shouting sparrowhawks and reptilian parent brains
03:30 – Jeweled slugs and ceramic plant pot friends
04:07 – Introducing The Joys and Shapes of Autistic Play by Max Alexander
06:03 – Why it’s accessible, shareable, and belongs in your backpack
06:58 – What the book is: eight play shapes and how to support them
08:29 – Play shapes vs. play types: where Bob Hughes meets inner worlds
10:44 – What counts as valid play, and what we sometimes dismiss
15:14 – Pancake stacking, poisoned cakes, and joyful repetition
22:30 – Relational mapping and understanding bodies as play resources
32:21 – Voice as a sensory toy and reframing 'disruptive' behaviours
40:31 – Object harmonising, companionship with sticks, and the story of a ruby-red brake light
52:27 – Nesting as a verb, den conflicts, and design implications for Forest School spaces
58:12 – Sincerity + silliness = play; where this book belongs in your CPD journey

🌲 Keywords
Autistic play, Max Alexander, play shapes, Bob Hughes, Forest School, inclusive practice, neurodivergent affirmation, relational mapping, object harmonising, nesting, voice as a sensory toy, pancake stacking, playwork, non-judgemental education, play taxonomies, play diaries, observation

🔖 Hashtags
#ForestSchool #AutisticPlay #PlayShapes #InclusiveEducation #NeurodivergentAffirming #Playwork #ObjectHarmonising #VoiceAsSensoryToy #PancakeStacking #ForestSchoolPodcast #NatureBasedLearning #ChildLedPlay #OutdoorEducation #RelationalMapping #ReflectivePractice

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