Regression in Conditions of Play Activity in Children with Autistic Spectrum Disorders

The study of regression in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is of particular importance, since it gets us closer to understanding some of the key mechanisms of ASD and makes it possible to operationalize the «penetrating» nature of this developmental disorder. The research uses the model of play behavior to study regressive episodes, which are associated with digression in the level of regulation by meanings and in deliberate organization of play behavior. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors and conditions that cause regressive behavior in children with ASD. Participants: preschool children (5—7 years old) — 18 children with ASD (4 girls and 14 boys) and 18 controls (5 girls and 13 boys). For the purposes of the research a role-playing game had been developed. The game consisted of four stages, in each stage a specific task was assigned to the child. Based on the results of the study a number of factors were revealed that provoke regressive behaviors and affect their number, among them: adoption of innovations, task switching, exhaustion, sensitivity to emotional stress.

Keywords: autism spectrum disorder, regression, preschool age, role-playing game, regulation by meanings

Column: Empirical researches

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.17759/cpp.2016240105