The Social Play Academy was founded in 2021 by Will Ellison, a Clinical Psychologist with a passion for re-imagining how we support young people’s social and emotional growth.

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Will's background includes clinical research into social development and group-based interventions, but his deeper motivation came from working alongside neuro-divergent children and teens who often felt disconnected or misunderstood in traditional social skills programs.

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The Social Play Academy was created to fill that gap—with programs that are playful, engaging, evidence-informed, and above all, neuro-affirming. Every game, group, and adventure is designed to celebrate diverse ways of thinking, communicating, and connecting.

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Why Group-Based Social Experiences?

Strong social connections are an important part of well-being—and for many neurodivergent young people, traditional models of social learning don't feel meaningful, motivating, or accessible.

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Many existing social programs focus on teaching about social skills in abstract terms, often expecting participants to apply those lessons without support or context. Others rely on token rewards or compliance-based strategies that don’t translate into real-world confidence or connection.

At the Social Play Academy, we take a different approach.

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Our programs are experience-first: social learning happens within the game, through laughter, collaboration, and safe risk-taking. We don’t aim to “fix” social behaviour. Instead, we offer young people the tools, space, and support to learn, connect in their own way, and engage with confidence and creativity.