Playfulness of Preschool-Aged Children With Autism in a Sensory Integration Room.

Researchers studied how well 36 autistic preschoolers (around 5 years old) played in a special sensory room. They found that children's playfulness was linked to family factors - children played more when mums worked, but played less when dads had higher education or families had higher income. This early research helps us understand what might affect how autistic children play in therapy settings.

This cross-sectional study examined playfulness in 36 preschool-aged children with autism (mean age 62.1 months) within a sensory integration room environment. Using the Turkish version of the Test of Playfulness, researchers assessed three key elements of playfulness: intrinsic motivation, internal control, and freedom to suspend reality. The study found significant associations between children's playfulness scores and specific family demographic factors. Higher father education levels and family income were associated with lower playfulness scores, while maternal employment was associated with higher playfulness.

The research provides preliminary insights into how family socioeconomic factors may influence play behaviors in autistic children within structured therapeutic environments.

Therapists should consider family socioeconomic factors when assessing play behaviors in autistic children. The unexpected negative correlation between higher SES and playfulness warrants further investigation and may inform intervention approaches in sensory integration therapy.

Single cross-sectional study with small sample size (n=36). Correlational design prevents causal inferences. Study methodology and measurement details not fully described. Limited to one cultural context (Turkish population). No comparison group included.

Playfulness can be determined by evaluation for the presence of 3 elements: intrinsic motivation, internal control, and the freedom to suspend reality. Playfulness may be affected by the child's physical, social, and cognitive skills and the physical, social, and cultural aspects of the play environment. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the playfulness of children with autism in a sensory integration room. Thirty-six children with autism, with a mean (SD) age of 62.1 (7.1) months, participated.

Demographic Information Questionnaire and Turkish version of Test of Playfulness were used. The playfulness of the children with autism were analyzed according to children's gender, age and birth order, parents' age, education level and employment status, family income, and number of siblings. The playfulness is related to the father's education level (= -0.534,< .01), the mother's employment status (= 0.335,< .05) and family income (= -0.469,< .01). Implications are discussed and suggestions for future research are formulated.