Case Study: ASIAM x Discovery Playtime
Project Overview
Discovery Playtime partnered with ASIAM, Ireland’s national autism charity, to deliver an interactive, sensory-focused training session for their National Training Team.
The goal was to inspire and empower their summer programme leaders with fresh ideas, confidence, and hands-on experience in creating sensory and messy play activities for children of all ages and abilities.
Over the course of a 1-hour experiential session, participants explored communication through play, activity design, and the use of open-ended materials. Together, they created playdough, cloud dough, gloop, and more, experiencing firsthand how sensory play supports cognitive and physical development, emotional regulation, and self-expression.
“It wasn’t just about making things, it was about understanding why these activities matter. The session opened our minds and reminded us how powerful play can be for connection and development.”
- ASIAM National Training Team
Objectives
✔️ Inspire leaders to integrate more sensory and messy play into their summer programmes
✔️ Build confidence and understanding around play-based communication and learning
✔️ Spark creativity and imagination for new activity ideas
✔️ Demonstrate how sensory play supports emotional regulation and inclusivity
Our Approach
This wasn’t a lecture, it was a hands-on, high-energy session designed to engage every participant through exploration, reflection, and fun.
We began by introducing the foundations of communication through play and how sensory activities create safe, inclusive spaces for children to express themselves. Participants then moved into active experimentation, working in small groups to mix, mould, and create, transforming simple materials into powerful learning tools.
The focus was on:
Encouraging curiosity and creativity
Understanding the why behind each sensory experience
Linking play to emotional and developmental benefits
Equipping leaders with practical, low-cost ideas they could bring straight to their programmes
“Mireia’s session reminded us that play is communication, connection, and regulation all in one. It was both informative and inspiring.”
The Result
🎯 A highly engaged and energised training team ready to bring sensory play to life in their programmes
🎯 Renewed understanding of the developmental value of sensory and messy play
🎯 A toolkit of simple, accessible activities to adapt for different ages and abilities
🎯 Strengthened confidence in using play as a form of communication and inclusion
🎯 A spark of creativity that continues to influence planning and delivery across ASIAM programmes
“It reignited our creativity and reminded us that play doesn’t need to be complicated, it just needs to be meaningful.”
Why Work With Discovery Playtime
Discovery Playtime delivers experiential, evidence-based training that empowers educators, leaders, and facilitators to use play as a tool for connection, learning, and emotional wellbeing.
Whether you’re part of a national organisation, a camp, a school, or a community project, we help you:
🌱 Build understanding of child-led learning
🎨 Bring creativity and curiosity into your programme
🧠 Support cognitive, emotional, and social development through play
💬 Strengthen communication and team confidence
“Mireia brings both warmth and professionalism. She connects people to the heart of what play means.”
Let's Build Something Brilliant
If you’re looking to energise your team, refresh your approach, or add meaningful creativity to your training, we’d love to work with you.
Let’s make play meaningful for every child.
