We all know children learn best through play, speech, language, communication, and problem solving. But often times we forget to take a step back and see playtime from the child’s perspective.
Accepting your child’s opinions, interests, strengths, and views increases their natural motivation and validates who they are.
The five most agreed on characteristics of play, according to psychology researcher Peter Gray of Boston College, self directed and self chosen; guided by mental rules; imaginative; intrinsically motivated; and conducted in an alert, active, but relatively non-stressed frame of mind.
If we change a child’s play to look like our play, or something more predictable, such as:
“Let’s stack the blocks this way”
“Horses and cows don’t line up, they stop around”
“Cars drive on roads”
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA)
But if we change an autistic child’s play to look more predictable and neurotypical, then it no longer falls under these definitions of play. The child begins to play more “appropriately,” not because they are intrinsically motivated to or enjoy it, but to receive praise or positive reactions from us. If they begin to mimic our play and we praise them for that change, are we really helping them learn? Unfortunately, no. If teaching and focusing on “appropriate play,” clinicians may be teaching autistic kids to mask their interests, likes, and preferences.
Neurodivergent people mask by mimicking neurotypical behavior to better fit in with others and their surroundings. Masking may be helpful in the short term but in the long term, has been found to negatively affect an autistic person’s self-worth, confidence, and overall mental health
Following a child’s lead is a great way to stimulate speech and language skills and development. Listening to what they say, accepting their play, supporting their preferences and build on their strengths. It can be difficult, but avoid the urge to change or shape the choices of the child.
Imitate their play, if instead of pretending to drink tea out of the cups, they turn the cups upside down and spin them, join in. If they like to line up the blocks on the floor instead of stack them, model their actions and language
At First Words Speech Therapy, our therapists are trained with extensive clinical experience which they continuously improve upon by remaining current with clinically proven, evidence-based evaluation and therapy practices. Our therapists are devoted to providing your child with the highest quality of care and we are here to help.
