Why child centered play therapists should care about play based social interventions for youth with ASD

Why child-centered play therapists should care about play based social interventions for youth with ASD
Jeffrey MacCormick

Child centered play therapy supports academic success, behavior outcomes, reducing relationship stress, and improving child-parent relationships. Play is a way for children to work through developmental tensions and progress in their own growth. The approach of therapy for multiple children simultaneously allows for the expression of interpersonal dynamics and relationships among the group members. The therapeutic usefulness of play has been the focus of much research. Researches that study play-based social interventions for youth with autism spectrum disorder also investigate play and its value for development. Children with ASD tend to prefer objects and activities of personal interest over social interactions with age-appropriate peers. LEGO-based therapy is an evidence-based practice that provides youth with ASD an opportunity to practice social interactions with guided support from a trained adult during structured play, and then applying it to unstructured play. When choosing play materials, toys should promote self-direction and facilitate wide variety of play experiences. A 10 year old boy with ASD had perseverative difficulties interacting with other children. His engagement in in various activities, such as minecraft, far exceeded his interest and ability for engaging in meaningful interactions with peers.

MacCormack, J. (2019). Part 1: Why child-centered play therapists should care about play-based social interventions for youth with ASD. International Journal of Play Therapy, 28(3), 157–167. https://doi-org.ezproxy.lib.uconn.edu/10.1037/pla0000099