Sensory differences are frequently observed in children participating in play therapy, particularly those with diagnoses such as Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Developmental Coordination Disorder. However, clinicians are often faced with a critical question: Are sensory challenges the primary clinical concern, or are they a reflection of broader regulation, relational, or developmental needs? This training provides play therapists with a neurodevelopmentally informed framework for understanding sensory processing as both a potential presenting problem and a meaningful clinical signal. Grounded in current peer-reviewed research, participants will explore how sensory processing patterns present across diagnostic groups and how these patterns influence behavior, emotional regulation, and participation in daily life. Using a play therapy lens, this course emphasizes that children communicate sensory needs through play long before they can articulate them verbally. Participants will learn how to assess sensory processing within the playroom by observing themes, movement, material use, avoidance, and sensory-seeking behaviors. The training will also address the clinical considerations surrounding Sensory Processing Disorder, supporting clinicians in moving beyond labels toward functional understanding. Practical strategies will be provided to help play therapists respond to sensory needs in ways that support regulation, safety, and engagement. Participants will be able to: 1. Describe how sensory processing differences present within play therapy and distinguish between sensory issues as primary concerns versus indicators of underlying regulation needs. 2. Demonstrate play therapy-based assessment strategies for identifying sensory processing patterns across sensory domains (e.g., tactile, proprioceptive, vestibular, auditory). 3. Apply play therapy interventions that respond to sensory needs and support nervous system regulation rather than focusing solely on behavior modification.