Why is play therapy good for children with autism?
Searched over 200M research papers
Summary
10 papers analyzed
These studies suggest play therapy is beneficial for children with autism by improving social interactions, emotional and cognitive development, and parent-child relationships, while decreasing inappropriate behavior.
Not a yes or no question
To use the Consensus Meter, try asking a simple yes or no question
Research summarized with Copilot
Beta20 papers analyzed
Introduction
Play therapy is a therapeutic approach that uses play to help children express their feelings, develop social skills, and improve their overall development. For children with autism, play therapy can be particularly beneficial due to their unique challenges in communication, social interaction, and behavior.
Key Insights from Research Papers
-
Improvement in Play Skills and Social Interactions:
- Play therapy helps children with autism improve their play skills, which in turn increases positive social interactions and decreases inappropriate behaviors .
-
Enhancement of Parent-Child Interaction:
- The Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters (PLAY) Project Home Consultation model significantly improves parent-child interactions without increasing parental stress or depression.
-
Development of Cognitive, Language, and Emotional Skills:
- Play therapy promotes the development of cognitive, language, and emotional skills in children with autism, helping them express themselves more effectively and reducing unwanted behaviors .
-
Support for Emotional and Social Development:
- Non-directive play therapy and child-centered play therapy have shown promise in enhancing emotional and social behaviors, fostering autonomy, and improving pretend play in children with autism .
-
Effectiveness of Specific Strategies:
- Strategies such as imitation of the child and modeling by an adult or peer are particularly effective in improving play behaviors in children with autism.
-
Therapeutic Relationship and Environment:
- The therapeutic relationship and environment in child-centered play therapy are crucial in meeting the needs of children with autism, providing a secure space for them to explore and express themselves .
Conclusion
Play therapy offers multiple benefits for children with autism, including improved play skills, enhanced social interactions, and better parent-child relationships. It supports the development of cognitive, language, and emotional skills, and specific strategies like imitation and modeling are particularly effective. The therapeutic relationship and environment play a significant role in the success of play therapy, making it a valuable intervention for children with autism.
Sources and full results
Most relevant research papers on this topic
3
Play Therapy for Autistic Children
3
6 Citations
2009
8
Play Therapy-Reaching the Child with Autism.
8
21 Citations
2011
10
Study on Children Autism and Play Therapy
10
0 Citations
2007