Promoting playfulness through a play-based occupational therapy intervention: A study protocol
Background: Play is integral to optimal childhood development. Occupational therapists often use play to improve play skills. However, when it comes to learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Africa, there is limited research regarding play-based interventions that address the underlyi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2024-12-01
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| Series: | African Journal of Disability |
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| Online Access: | https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1415 |
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| author | Gaby Rautenbach Munira Hoosain Moleen Zunza Nicola Plastow |
| author_facet | Gaby Rautenbach Munira Hoosain Moleen Zunza Nicola Plastow |
| author_sort | Gaby Rautenbach |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Play is integral to optimal childhood development. Occupational therapists often use play to improve play skills. However, when it comes to learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Africa, there is limited research regarding play-based interventions that address the underlying motivators of play, namely, social play and playfulness.
Objectives: In this study, the authors present a rationale for the development of a protocol for a study aiming to measure the impact of the Playbox Africa Intervention. This is a play-based occupational therapy intervention with the aim of enhancing the playfulness, social play and occupational performance of South African children with ASD.
Method: The study will utilise a within-subject, repeated measures design and will be implemented over 16 weeks with 8–10 learners (aged 3–8 years) with ASD attending a developmental-centre environment in Johannesburg, South Africa. The playfulness and social play of the learners will be assessed using the Test of Playfulness (ToP). The modified Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (M-COPM) will be used to measure occupational performance factors.
Results: Given that this protocol outlines an intervention that has not yet been implemented, there are no results to report on.
Conclusion: The development of this protocol could encourage the adaption of existing play-based protocols, for children with ASD, perhaps within different settings or varying support needs.
Contribution: Additionally, it could lay the foundation for future clinical trials and culturally relevant play-based interventions to be developed in the South African special needs context. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e669c2f903cd40df80919e49e17cfeff |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2223-9170 2226-7220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | African Journal of Disability |
| spelling | doaj-art-e669c2f903cd40df80919e49e17cfeff2025-08-20T01:58:03ZengAOSISAfrican Journal of Disability2223-91702226-72202024-12-01130e1e1010.4102/ajod.v13i0.1415431Promoting playfulness through a play-based occupational therapy intervention: A study protocolGaby Rautenbach0Munira Hoosain1Moleen Zunza2Nicola Plastow3Department of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownDepartment of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownDivision of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownDepartment of Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Science, Stellenbosch University, Cape TownBackground: Play is integral to optimal childhood development. Occupational therapists often use play to improve play skills. However, when it comes to learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in South Africa, there is limited research regarding play-based interventions that address the underlying motivators of play, namely, social play and playfulness. Objectives: In this study, the authors present a rationale for the development of a protocol for a study aiming to measure the impact of the Playbox Africa Intervention. This is a play-based occupational therapy intervention with the aim of enhancing the playfulness, social play and occupational performance of South African children with ASD. Method: The study will utilise a within-subject, repeated measures design and will be implemented over 16 weeks with 8–10 learners (aged 3–8 years) with ASD attending a developmental-centre environment in Johannesburg, South Africa. The playfulness and social play of the learners will be assessed using the Test of Playfulness (ToP). The modified Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (M-COPM) will be used to measure occupational performance factors. Results: Given that this protocol outlines an intervention that has not yet been implemented, there are no results to report on. Conclusion: The development of this protocol could encourage the adaption of existing play-based protocols, for children with ASD, perhaps within different settings or varying support needs. Contribution: Additionally, it could lay the foundation for future clinical trials and culturally relevant play-based interventions to be developed in the South African special needs context.https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1415interventionpaediatricsplayschoolneurodivergencesouth africa. |
| spellingShingle | Gaby Rautenbach Munira Hoosain Moleen Zunza Nicola Plastow Promoting playfulness through a play-based occupational therapy intervention: A study protocol African Journal of Disability intervention paediatrics play school neurodivergence south africa. |
| title | Promoting playfulness through a play-based occupational therapy intervention: A study protocol |
| title_full | Promoting playfulness through a play-based occupational therapy intervention: A study protocol |
| title_fullStr | Promoting playfulness through a play-based occupational therapy intervention: A study protocol |
| title_full_unstemmed | Promoting playfulness through a play-based occupational therapy intervention: A study protocol |
| title_short | Promoting playfulness through a play-based occupational therapy intervention: A study protocol |
| title_sort | promoting playfulness through a play based occupational therapy intervention a study protocol |
| topic | intervention paediatrics play school neurodivergence south africa. |
| url | https://ajod.org/index.php/ajod/article/view/1415 |
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