Play therapy in children with autism: Its role, implications, and limitations, (2023), Elbeltagi R., Al-Beltagi M. , Saeed KN., Alhawamdeh R.

Open access article: https://www.wjgnet.com/2219-2808/full/v12/i1/1.htm

Abstract
Play is a pleasurable physical or mental activity that enhances the child’s skills
involving negotiation abilities, problem-solving, manual dexterity, sharing, decision-
making, and working in a group. Play affects all the brain's areas, structures, and
functions. Children with autism have adaptive behavior, adaptive response, and social
interaction limitations. This review explores the different applications of play therapy
in helping children with autism disorder. Play is usually significantly impaired in
children with autism. Play therapy is mainly intended to help children to honor their
unique mental abilities and developmental levels. The main aim of play therapy is to
prevent or solve psychosocial difficulties and achieve optimal child-healthy growth
and development. Play therapy helps children with autism to engage in play activities
of their interest and choice to express themselves in the most comfortable ways. It
changes their way of self-expression from unwanted behaviors to more non-injurious
expressive behavior using toys or activities of their choice as their words. Play
therapy also helps those children to experience feeling out various interaction styles.
Every child with autism is unique and responds differently. Therefore, different types
of intervention, like play therapy, could fit the differences in children with autism.
Proper evaluation of the child is mandatory to evaluate which type fits the child more
than the others. This narrative review revised the different types of play therapy that
could fit children with autism in an evidence-based way. Despite weak evidence, play
therapy still has potential benefits for patients and their families.

Citation: Elbeltagi R, Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, Alhawamdeh R. Play therapy in
children with autism: Its role, implications, and limitations. World J Clin
Pediatr 2023; 12(1): 1-22