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Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry
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Non-Directive Play Therapy for Young Children with Autism: A Case Study

Orit Josefi

Kfar Saba, Israel

Virginia Ryan

University of York, UKvmr1{at}york.ac.uk

This article presents exploratory research on the feasibility of non-directive play therapy for children with autism. Video recordings of 16 sessions of play therapy with a 6-year-old boy with severe autism were analysed qualitatively and quantitatively. The study concluded that this child was able to enter into a therapeutic relationship and demonstrated attachment behaviour towards the therapist. Key areas of improvement were in the child’s development of autonomy and pretend play, while ritualistic behaviours showed only mild improvement. Changes in therapy were concurrent with the changes reported by the boy’s mother at home of increased independence and empathy. One implication of this preliminary research is that non-directive play therapy may enhance and accelerate emotional/social development of children with severe autism. More research is urgently needed; non-directive play therapy and behavioural treatments may complement one another to provide an overall treatment plan for children with severe autism.

Key Words: attachment • autism • autonomy • joint attention • non-directive play therapy • symbolic play

Clinical Child Psychology and Psychiatry, Vol. 9, No. 4, 533-551 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/1359104504046158
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