Play As A Medium For Intervention

While various attempts have been made to break down social barriers between children with disabilities and those without, few interventions have focused specifically on play. Since typical children spend substantial amounts of time engaged in play activities independently as well as in conjunction with peers, a greater concern for children who do not develop play in typical ways is warranted. There are numerous reason to consider play as a medium for intervention. In particular, play has been shown to be instrumental in promoting development in the following interrelated domains:

• Social development
  
• Cognitive development
• Language development
• Communication development
• Literacy development
• Emotional development

In view of the many children who have difficulties establishing and maintaining friendships, play deserves careful consideration as a normalized context for the development of social relationships.

Disclaimer

Autism is a complex disorder. The information presented here is, of necessity, general in nature. Please consult with a qualified professional concerning your specific questions. The opinions expressed herein are those of the individual authors.

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