The Importance of Play for Children with ASD

For Children 3-5 Years Old

Overview
Benefits and Struggles of Play
Different Types and Aspects of Play
Strategies to foster play at home
Play Dates
Resources

“Kids have to be
exposed to different
things in order to
Benefits and Struggles of
develop. A child’s Play for Children with
not going to find out
he likes to play a Autism Spectrum Disorder
musical instrument There are many beneifts of play for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Through play,
if you never expose
there are many skills that are practiced. For instance, play helps to develop motor skills,
him to it…”
expression of emotions and empathy, sharing and turn taking, building their vocabulary and
- Dr. Temple Grandin
language skills, increased concentations, and expansion of imagination.

However, there are many areas in regards to play that children with Autism Spectrum
Disorder struggle with. Some children have difficulty following complex directions that are
*****************
associated with certain types of play and games, such as games with rules (board games)
or toys with a specific function.

“Autism is not a Another area that some children with Autism Spectrum Disoder struggle with in terms of
disability. It’s a play, is an inability to grasp the basics of symbolic play (pretend play). Some children with
different ability.”
Autism Spectrum Disorder have difficulty putting themselves into a pretend role, and using
-Stuart Duncan
their imagination and creativity to create and execute a pretend role.

In addition, some children with Autism Spectrum Disorder struggle with playing cooperativly
with others, such as another adult and/or their peers.

An area that may children with Autism Spectrum disorder struggle with is communication.
Due to difficulties with communication and vocabulary, this makes fostering play more
challenging.

With all of these struggles and difficulties in mind, this is why play is so important for chilren
with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Play helps to develop the skills that children will need to
help their struggles be less as they get older. The sooner the skills are practiced, the better
the skills will be. And play is the perfect way.

Conseil
 Levels of “If they can’t learn the
Play way we teach, we will
Socializing teach the way they learn”

- Dr. O Ivar Lovaas

Solitary
Playing alone

Parallel
Playing beside
someone else, but There are many different types and aspects of play. The following are the different
not together- may types of play :
not even be the
same toy or game 1- Functional Play / Exolpratory Play :
This is when toys and objects are used for their intended purpose.
ie : Rolling a ball. Pushing a toy car across the floor.
Associative 2- Constructive Play :
Playing the same toy
or game as another This is when you use materials to create or build something.
child, occasionally ie : Using blocks to build a tower.
making connections
3- Dramatic Play :
together at times
This is when you break the walls of reality to pretend to be something different.
You dramatisize situations to go along with the role.
Cooperative ie : Prending to be a cashier, prending to be mommy or daddy, pretending to be
Playing the same toy at a birthday party or at the dentist.
or game at the same
4- Sociodramatic Play :
time as another
person, working This is a way for children to develop social and language skills by creating
together for a imaginary worlds, characters and scenarios. What seperates dramatic play from
common goal. sociodramatic play, is that sociodramatic play is shared with others.
ie : Playing house with someone. Playing restaurant where one person in the
server and the other is the customer.

5- Games with Rules :

This is a type of play that requires structure and rules put into place to promote
cooperative play.
ie : Candyland. Uno. Organized sports.

As a parent, find out what your child’s strengths are and explore the different
areas of play to build on what they struggle with. For example, if following
structure and a routine is important to your child, however, they have difficult
taking turns, try a simple “Game with rules” to improve on those skills while
emphazining the importance of following the routine of the game, even using
pictograms to show the routine of the game.
 Now Let’s
Talk Play
Dates !

Play dates are an

excellent way to
encourage social
interaction, while working
on skills and areas that
your child may
experience difficulties
with.
There are many ways that you, as a parent can foster the development of your child
when it comes to play. Suggestions and
things to keep in
Make a list of your child’s favorite activities and games. Find learning outcomes that
mind :
can come from those activities and games, such as potential for increased social
interaction, communication, motor skills, cognitive.

If your child has difficulty staying on task (following instruction) have rewards and Introduce a play date
with someone your
reinforcers on hand. These things can be a specific toy that they enjoy, but don’t
child is familiar with,
always get to have, stickers, ipad time, or social rewards (such as applause, or verbal and knows your child
praise). and their stuggles.
Prepare both your
If your child can get overwhellmed easily, limit the amout of items they have at one child for the play
time, clearing any unnecessary items. It is sometimes helpful to create “theme boxes” date, and the other
– this way your child has access to specific materials, but has the liberty to explore child involved. Let
those materials freely, while encouraging different aspects of their development, and them know what to
being able to build on those capabilities. expect, what they
can do, limitations
etc.
Resources for Parents
Find a mutual
Below are resources that you can use as a parent interest between the
to find more information on the benefits of play, two children.
examples of activities, tools for buying autism
friendly toys and equipment, articles on planning Don’t force a
and executing a play date for your child with playdate. Make it feel
autism, and much more ! natural.

Involve yourself if
needed, and
www.nationalautismresources.com www.friendshipcircle.org gradually remove
www.autismspeaks.org www.modelmekids.com yourself.

www.raisingchildren.net.au www.aspergers.ca
Observe and take
www.familyeducation.com www.autismsupportnetwork.com notes to make
improvements for the
next play date.