Investigation of play skills and playfulness of children with autism spectrum disorder between 4-6 years

Play is a primary occupation of children. Occupational therapists aim to enable people to participate in the activities of daily living. Participation in activities of daily living is examined in terms of factors related to person, environment and occupation. Participation of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is affected by ASD. Therefore; we aimed to examine play skills and playfulness of children with ASD. 4- to 6-year-old thirty-six children with ASD and thirty children with typical development were included to the study. Play skills were assessed using the Revised Knox Preschool Play Scale; playfulness was evaluated by Test of Playfulness-4. Version; play behavior was evaluated by time interval analyses and sensory processing skills were assessed by Sensory Profile. One time, 15 minutes of videotape recording were taken during free play at Hacettepe University Department of Occupational Therapy Sensory Integration Unit. Children with ASD had a lower developmental play age about 6 months and were found to score significantly lower on the ToP than their typical peers (p<0.05). Furthermore; children with ASD had sensory processing disorder. Play behavior of children with ASD was non-play behavior. There was relationship between play skills and sensory processing in children with ASD (p<0.05). There was significant relationship between playfulness and sensory processing in children with ASD (p<0.05). As a result; play participation of children with ASD is affected by sensory processing issues.