Play behaviours and play object preferences of young children with autistic disorder in a clinical play environment

Abstract

Play is the primary occupation of childhood and provides a potentially powerful means of assessing and treating children with autistic disorder. This study utilized a cross-sectional comparison design to investigate the nature of play engagement in children with AD (n = 24), relative to typically developing children (n = 34) matched for chronological age. Play behaviours were recorded in a clinical play environment. Videotapes comprising 15 minutes of the children's spontaneous play behaviour were analysed using time-interval analysis. The particular play behaviours observed and play objects used were coded. Differences in play behaviours (p < 0.0001) and play object preferences (p < 0.0001) were identified between the groups. Findings regarding play behaviour contribute to contention in the literature surrounding functional and symbolic play. Explanations for play object preferences are postulated. Recommendations are made regarding clinical application of findings in terms of enhancing assessment and intervention by augmenting motivation.

Mother-Child Play: A Comparison of Autism Spectrum Disorder, Down Syndrome, and Typical Development

“…This result is in accordance with a previous study of Dominguez et al (2006) showing that children with ASD engaged in more exploratory play than children with typical development. In particular, our results showed a tendency in children with ASD to spend more time in a “unitary functional activity,” that is the simplest exploratory play level, than the control groups.…”

“…Mundy et al (1986), who considered participants of about 24 months of mental age – similarly to or study – and tested free and structured play conditions, also reported abnormal symbolic play in children with ASD compared to mental age-matched children with intellectual disability, but the difference between groups was evident for structured symbolic acts only. On the other hand, our results accords with some more recent studies that have also indicated that children with ASD show the same pretend play abilities as typically developing children and children with other disorders matched on age and/or IQ (Warreyn et al, 2005; Dominguez et al, 2006). We believe that two main aspects contributed to the explanation of our findings: the developmental age of the children in our sample and the collaborative play situation we analyzed.…”

“…Dominguez et al (2006) reported no differences in the proportions of functional or symbolic play in a group of children with ASD, related to TD children, matched on chronological age, however, children with ASD showed less interest in specific types of objects and more exploratory and sensorimotor play. Warreyn et al (2005) examined spontaneous symbolic play in 3–6 years old children with ASD in interaction with their mothers compared to a control group (including children with language delay and children with a developmental delay) matched on age and IQ.…”

Symbolic Play of Preschoolers with Severe Communication Impairments with Autism and Other Developmental Delays: More Similarities than Differences

“…Several studies have reported deficits in symbolic play of young children with autism, and some propose a distinctive play deficit (Sigman and Ruskin 1999; Ungerer and Sigman 1981). Other researchers have reported similarities when comparing symbolic play of children with autism to typically developing children (Dominguez et al 2006), and to children with other developmental delays (DD) (Libby et al 1997). The aim of the present study is to address these contradictory reports by examining different play behaviors of children with autism and other DD by using comprehensive play measures.…”

Play Preference and Pretend Play Skills between Typically Developed Children and Autism

“…The majority of children with autism will experience greater difficulties engaging in play with their peers as they focused on their world and their play behavior is considered "abnormal" compared to the norm. Dominguez, Ziviani, and Rodger (2006) examined the play engagement and play object preferences between autism and typically developing children. The study showed there was no difference between the groups in symbolic play.…”