Abstracts Category : Other

Teacher and parents implemented interventions targeting symbolic play of preschool aged children with Autism spectrum disorder

by Katarina Celic

The estimated prevalence of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2007 was approximately 6,5-6,6 per 1000 children. Symbolic play is, one of the diagnostic criteria in the cases of ASD. In preschool, symbolic play is predominant form of play. However, children with ASD show lower levels of symbolic play. It takes them more time to start with symbolic play and have problems in performance of it. Nevertheless, they might even never develop symbolic play skills. The need for interventions targeting symbolic play of children with ASD is increasing. Generally speaking, there appear to be very limited number of symbolic play interventions for children with ASD. Even if done, most have been performed in laboratory conditions. The interventions that have been undertaken to support symbolic play have taken form of being child centered, peer mediated or adult mediated, with emphasized role of caregivers as interventionists. The aim of this systematic literature review is to address parents and teachers implemented interventions targeting symbolic play of preschool aged children with ASD, with an emphasis on characteristics of these interventions and pretend play sequences. Findings reveal that interventions implemented by either parents or teachers in natural environment give positive outcomes in terms of symbolic play and its instances of preschool aged children with ASD. The review presented a limited number of studies dealing with this kind of interventions. Since all interventions show that symbolic play can be facilitated in this population, special attention should be payed to the methods used to improve symbolic play behaviours and defining and dividing symbolic play. More focus should be put on implementing interventions targeting symbolic play of children with ASD by caregivers, i.e. parents and teachers, in natural context. Inclusion of peers in these kinds of interventions emerges as possible and potentially successful as well.The estimated prevalence of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in 2007 was approximately 6,5-6,6 per 1000 children. Symbolic play is, one of the diagnostic criteria in the cases of ASD. In preschool, symbolic play is predominant form of play. However, children with ASD show lower levels of symbolic play. It takes them more time to start with symbolic play and have problems in performance of it. Nevertheless, they might even never develop symbolic play skills. The need for interventions targeting symbolic play of children with ASD is increasing. Generally speaking, there appear to be very limited number of symbolic play interventions for children with ASD. Even if done, most have been performed in laboratory conditions. The interventions that have been undertaken to support symbolic play have taken form of being child centered, peer mediated or adult mediated, with emphasized role of caregivers as interventionists. The aim of this systematic literature review is to address parents and teachers implemented interventions targeting symbolic play of preschool aged children with ASD, with an emphasis on