Autistic Play: Honoring Diverse Styles of Play

Honoring Autistic Play: Recognizing the Value of Diverse Play Styles

In recent years, there has been a growing recognition of the unique ways autistic children engage in play. Traditional views on child development often emphasize certain types of imaginative or social play as the “gold standard.” However, this perspective can overlook the meaningful and often complex play styles that many autistic children prefer. Honoring autistic play involves recognizing, respecting, and valuing these diverse forms of play and understanding their contributions to a child’s development.

Understanding Autistic Play

Autistic children often engage in forms of play that may appear repetitive or unconventional to neurotypical observers. Common examples include lining up toys, spinning objects, or focusing intensely on specific details of a toy or game. These behaviors can be misunderstood as lacking creativity or social value, but they hold deep meaning for the child. As Dr. Pamela Wolfberg explains, “Play is an activity that is pleasurable, intrinsically motivated, non-literal, voluntary, and involves active engagement.”

Let’s break this down:

• Play is pleasurable: It brings joy to the child.
• Intrinsically motivated: The child engages in play because it is enjoyable, not for external rewards.
• Non-literal: Play can be abstract, where the experience matters more than the outcome.
• Voluntary: The child plays because they want to, not because they are told to.
• Active engagement: The child is fully involved, giving their attention to the activity.

In my experience, many autistic children meet all of these criteria when they are playing in their own way.

The Importance of Repetitive Play

Research suggests that these forms of play serve important functions. Repetitive play, for example, can provide a sense of order and predictability, which is comforting for many autistic children who might otherwise feel overwhelmed by sensory input or social demands. This type of play allows children to explore and make sense of the world in a structured, manageable way.

What may seem like solitary play often involves complex cognitive processes. A child lining up cars might be organizing them according to an internal logic or narrative that isn’t immediately obvious. By respecting this play style, we acknowledge that the child is engaged in meaningful activity, even if it doesn't align with conventional expectations.

Respecting Play Preferences

It’s crucial to respect the play preferences of autistic children. Forcing them into play styles that don’t align with their natural inclinations can lead to anxiety and resistance. Instead, caregivers and educators should focus on supporting and extending the child’s preferred play without disrupting it.

Providing opportunities for both solitary and social play allows children to choose how they want to engage. For instance, small group activities can include both parallel play, where children play side by side without direct interaction, and interactive play for those who are comfortable with it.

Sensory Considerations in Play

Sensory preferences also play a significant role in autistic play. Many autistic children have specific sensory needs that influence the types of play they enjoy. Creating sensory-friendly play spaces, such as a quiet corner with soft lighting or a tactile play station with different textures, can support a child’s play preferences.

Expanding Play Without Disrupting It

While honoring the natural ways autistic children play is crucial, there are opportunities to gently expand their play in enriching ways. One effective approach is modeling. For example, if a child enjoys lining up cars, an adult might introduce a new play action by creating a simple narrative or incorporating other toys into the scenario.

I once worked with a student who loved holding toy cars and showing them to others. By modeling how to push the car down a small ramp, we expanded her play. She giggled and soon started pushing the car herself, finding joy in this new action. This illustrates the importance of introducing new play themes gently, allowing the child to explore at their own pace.

Creating Inclusive Play Environments

To truly honor autistic play, it’s important to create inclusive environments that celebrate diverse play styles. This includes providing a range of play options that cater to different sensory preferences, social comfort levels, and interests. Educating peers about the value of diverse play styles can also help foster a more inclusive environment.

In my experience with Integrated Play Groups, based on Dr. Pamela Wolfberg’s work, I've seen how structured play environments can encourage social interaction in ways that feel natural and non-threatening to autistic children.

Conclusion

Honoring autistic play is about more than allowing children to play the way they prefer. It’s about recognizing the depth and value of their play. By creating supportive environments, respecting play preferences, and gently expanding play opportunities, we can help autistic children thrive in ways that are meaningful to them. This approach supports their development while promoting a more inclusive understanding of what play can be.

As research and understanding evolve, it’s essential that educators, parents, and caregivers remain open to learning and adapting their approaches to meet each child’s unique needs.

“Social inclusion, play, and creative expression are universal human rights”-Dr. Pamela Wolfberg

If you’d like to listen to the podcast on this topic check out Episode 87

Peer Play And The Autism Spectrum Book

Dr. Pamela Wolfberg

Related Topics:

Play And Learn: Functional Play & Autism

Exploratory Play And Autism

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