Effects of Child‐Centered Play Therapy on Irritability and Hyperactivity Behaviors of Children With Intellectual Disabilities

Abstract

This study evaluates the effects of child-centered play therapy (CCPT) on hyperactivity and irritability behaviors of two elementary-aged children identified with an intellectual disability.A single-case, ABA research design was used to examine the effectiveness of CCPT. Results indicate that CCPT decreased hyperactivity and irritability behaviors following introduction to the treatment intervention. For both participants, improvements in behaviors weremaintained. A discussion of limitations and implications for future research are presented.

Effectiveness of Play Therapy on Problematic Behaviors of Preschool Children With Somatization

“…These findings are consistent with other single-case research, in which CCPT resulted in decreased observed behavioral problems of elementary school children (Schottelkorb & Ray, 2009;Swan & Ray, 2014). It therefore appears that CCPT may reduce observable behavioral problems for children with intellectual disabilities, ADHD, and symptoms of somatization.…”

“…Because somatic problems in early childhood have been found to persist into middle childhood and adulthood (Pihlakoski et al, 2006), and also predict externalizing and internalizing disorders, providing preschool children with interventions to reduce somatic symptoms is encouraged (Gilleland et al, 2009). In addition, this study confirms results of previous research that indicate CCPT is effective in reducing problematic classroom behaviors of preschool and elementary students (Bratton et al, 2013;Fall et al, 2002;Garza & Bratton, 2005;Schottelkorb & Ray, 2009;Schumann, 2010;Swan & Ray, 2014). Thus, when child counselors in agency, private practice, and school settings have children with somatization symptoms and problematic classroom behaviors, we encourage them to use CCPT.…”

“…Specifically, Swan and Ray (2014) found that CCPT helped decrease hyperactive and irritable behaviors of two children with intellectual disabilities. In addition, Schottelkorb and Ray (2009) found that CCPT helped improve on-task behaviors for two children with ADHD behaviors.…”

“…However, research supporting interventions for preschool children with somatization is lacking in the literature (Giacobo et al, 2012). Because child-centered play therapy (CCPT) tends to advance awareness and regulation of emotions (Axline, 1950;Ray, Stulmaker, Lee, & Silverman, 2013), and also helps decrease observable behavioral problems (Schottelkorb & Ray, 2009;Swan & Ray, 2014), we speculated that CCPT would help decrease somatic complaints and associated behavioral problems for children with clinical levels of somatization.…”

Reporting Results of Single‐Case Studies

“…The organization of single‐case research results have differed in the counseling literature. For example, Cox, Lenz, and James () organized results according to each participant; Heppner and Hendricks () addressed results according to each one of their hypotheses; and Swan and Ray () combined participant results into a single section and described each result accordingly. Given the evidence, the organization of results seems to be independent of the research design and more likely determined by the established research question and hypothesis.…”