A Systematic Review of Interventions to Improve the Occupation of Play in Children With Autism

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2020

Abstract

Play in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is often atypical, yet consensus regarding effective occupational therapy strategies for improving play is not established. To examine the efficacy of strategies used in occupational therapy to improve play in ASD, authors completed a systematic review of papers from January 1980 through January 2019. Search terms included autism, Asperger's, ASD, autistic in combination with play, playfulness, pretend, imagination, praxis, creativity, and generativity. Twenty papers met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Reviewed interventions included parent education, modified play materials or environments, imitation of the child, and modeling by an adult, a peer, or video. Moderate to strong support exists for the specific strategies of imitation of the child and modeling for the child, with lesser or mixed support for other strategies. Certain strategies commonly used in occupational therapy may be effective in improving the occupation of play in ASD.

Comments

Article first published online: October 23, 2019.

DOI

10.1177/1539449219880531

PMID

31642399

Publication

OTJR: Occupation, Participation and Health

Volume

40

Issue

2

Publisher

SAGE Journals

Pages

83-98

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