![Sample our Education journals, sign in here to start your access, latest two full volumes FREE to you for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5932/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Education.jpg"})
ABSTRACT
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) tend to be less playful than their typically developing (TD) peers. Although playfulness is considered a personality characteristic, little is known about the stability of this trait in interactions with different caregivers. This study compared the playfulness of children with and without ASD in play interactions with their mothers at home and with their teachers at preschool. Twenty-nine children with ASD and 32 TD children (age 3–6), their mothers and teachers participated in the study. A significant difference was found between playfulness of children with and without ASD when playing with their mothers, but not when playing with their teachers. Additionally, while children with ASD tended to be more playful with their teachers, TD children were more playful with their mothers. The current study suggests that playfulness may be an adaptive trait, related not only to individual characteristics, but also to environmental ones.
Acknowledgements
The authors would also like to thank the teachers, mothers, and children who generously gave their time during the course of the study.
Notes on contributors
Shulamit Pinchover is a PhD candidate in the school of social work and social welfare, the Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Prof Cory Shulman is the director of the Autism Center at Hebrew University and Hadassah Medical Center, and the Head of Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health program. The School of Social Work, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem.
Prof Anita Bundy is newly appointed as the Department Head in Occupational Therapy at Colorado State University. She also has a part-time appointment as a Professor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Sydney.