The Play Dojo social play program was born from the clinical expertise and shared vision of founders Dr. Marija Colic and Dr. Sho Araiba, who recognized a vital need for inclusive, community-based social spaces within the Honolulu area. Developed at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, the program translates years of academic research into a vibrant “dojo” environment where social learning moves out of the clinic and onto the play mat. By focusing on the natural joy of peer-to-peer connection, the founders created a strength-based bridge that honors neurodiversity while providing the structured “practice” necessary for building lasting friendships. Today, Play Dojo stands as a dedicated hub for innovation, bridging the gap between university research and the lived experiences of local families to ensure that every child has a pathway to social belonging and confidence.

The Play Dojo program is designed as a comprehensive, semester-based experience consisting of weekly 1.5-hour sessions over the course of approximately 10 weeks. Catering to children between the ages of 4 and 13, our sessions are structured to provide a consistent rhythm that allows for both skill development and genuine social bonding. Central to our approach is the Social Play Strengths Profile, a proprietary assessment tool we developed to identify and celebrate each child’s unique capabilities rather than focusing on deficits. This profile informs our specialized Social Play Curriculum, which guides every session with child-preferred activities tailored to the specific developmental needs of our participants. By combining this rigorous, evidence-based framework with a playful environment, we ensure that every child has a customized roadmap for social success.

To join our program, families with children ages 4 to 13 are invited to apply for our upcoming semester, as we accept new participants twice a year and will add all applicants to our email list for future updates and enrollment opportunities.

Complete a brief interest form!