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Resumo A pesquisa teve como objetivo estudar o impacto da ausência do brincar precoce no desenvolvimento psíquico do bebê, quando ele se encontra privado de trocas lúdicas na relação bebê-cuidadora, no contexto das creches. A correlação dos resultados dos instrumentos IRDI, MPPE e AP3 no acompanhamento longitudinal de cinco bebês, dos 8 meses de vida aos 4 anos de idade, apontou que a ausência do brincar precoce resulta no empobrecimento do brincar simbólico e entraves no processo de subjetivação da criança.
Abstract This study investigate the absence of early play, that is, the deprivation of playful exchanges with caregivers in the nursery environment, and its impact on the psychic development of infants. Results from a longitudinal study with five infants, from 8 months to 4 years of age, collected by the IRDI, MPPE and AP3 instruments showed that the absence of early play results in the impoverishment of further symbolic play and in obstacles to the child's subjectivation process.
Resumen La investigación tiene como objetivo estudiar el impacto de la ausencia del juego precoz en el desarrollo psíquico en bebés, cuando estos se encuentran privados de intercambios lúdicos en la relación bebé-cuidador/a. En el ámbito de las guarderías, la correlación de los resultados de los instrumentos IRDI, MPPE y AP3 en el acompañamiento longitudinal de cinco bebés de ocho meses a cuatro años indicó que la ausencia del juego precoz provoca empobrecimiento del juego símbolo e impedimentos en el proceso de subjetividad del niños.
Résumé Cette étude s'intéresse à l'absence de jeux précoces, c'est-à-dire à la privation d'échanges ludiques avec les soignants dans l'espace de la crèche, et à son impact dans le développement psychique des nourrissons. Les résultats d'une étude longitudinale auprès de cinq nourrissons, suivis de 8 mois à 4 ans, recueillis à l'aide des instruments IRDI, MPPE et AP3, ont montré que l'absence de jeux précoces entraîne un appauvrissement des jeux symboliques ultérieurs et des obstacles au processus de subjectivation de l'enfant.
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BACKGROUND: Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) usually experience difficulty regarding symbolic play. However, studies on whether symbolic play test (SPT) can differentiate between ASD and other developmental disorders are inconsistent, and evaluating the application value of the SPT in the identification of ASD without global developmental delay (GDD) and developmental language disorder (DLD) is necessary. METHODS: A total of 200 children were selected as the research participants. There were 100 cases of ASD without GDD and 100 cases of DLD. All children were tested by SPT and Children Neuropsychological and Behavioral Scale-Revision (CNBS-R2016). Binomial logistic regression was used for multivariate analysis. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the value of SPT in identifying ASD without GDD and DLD. RESULTS: SPT equivalent age was lower than chronological age in the two groups, the difference between the ASD without GDD group was greater than that in the DLD group, and the proportion of SPT equivalent age retardation was higher than that in the DLD group; the differences were statistically significant. Logistic regression analysis showed that there was a difference in SPT equivalent age between DLD and ASD without GDD. When the cut-off value of the SPT was 8.5, the largest area under the ROC curve was 0.723, and the sensitivity and specificity for the diagnosis of ASD without GDD were 0.720 and 0.620 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Symbolic play ability in ASD children is worse than that of DLD children at comparable development levels. SPT may be helpful to distinguish ASD without GDD from children with DLD.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Child , Humans , Autism Spectrum Disorder/diagnosis , Language Development Disorders/diagnosis , Multivariate Analysis , ROC Curve , Developmental Disabilities , Play and PlaythingsABSTRACT
ObjectiveTo explore the typical behavior characteristics of children with autism in symbolic play and the value of Symbolic Play Test (SPT) in the early identification of autism. MethodsFrom November, 2021 to September, 2022, a total of 260 children with language problems were collected from Department of Children's Health Care of Binzhou Medical University Hospital. A total of 193 children with autism were as observation group and 67 normal children were as control group. All children played symbolic games. The typical behavioral characteristics of children with autism in SPT were explored, and a reliability and validity analysis based on the results of SPT was conducted. They were assessed with the adaptive and personal social scores of Gesell Development Scale, and the correlation of the scores of Gesell Development Scale and the score of SPT was analyzed. ResultsThe Cronbach's α coefficient of SPT of children with autism was 0.835 to 0.935, and the total score of SPT, the scores of surrogate object, fictional attribute and fictional object were positively correlated with each other (r > 0.607, P < 0.001). The SPT scores decreased in the observation group (t > 9.615, P < 0.001), and SPT score positively correlated with adaptability and personal-social development quotient (r > 0.609, P < 0.001). ConclusionTypical behavior of children with autism can be reflected in symbolic play, and SPT can provide clues for early identification of autism.
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Objetivos: el objetivo es conocer si una intervención de terapia ocupacional basada en el juego simbólico es efectiva para promover el desempeño ocupacional de los menores con sintomatología neurológica. Métodos: estudio piloto en un centro de rehabilitación neurológica utilizando el juego simbólico como recurso terapéutico con 8 menores con sintomatología neurológica durante 8 semanas. Se han empleado diferentes instrumentos de evaluación estandarizados para capturar la participación en el juego, el desempeño ocupacional e identificar y medir la consecución de objetivos. Resultados: se describe el desempeño del juego de las personas participantes y se observa una mejora estadísticamente significativa en la movilidad y función social tras la intervención. Hay una tendencia ligera de aumento en los dominios de actividades de la vida diaria y todos los menores alcanzaron, al menos, uno de los objetivos establecidos. Conclusiones: los participantes han mejorado su desempeño ocupacional y sus progenitores consideran que son más independientes. Se observa un aumento en la motivación de los menores para participar en ocupaciones y una disminución del apoyo proporcionado por los progenitores. No se puede generalizar que el juego simbólico sea efectivo como método de intervención al ser un estudio piloto, proponiéndose nuevas líneas de investigación para realizar estudios de mayor impacto. (AU)
Objective: The objective is to know if an occupational therapy intervention based on symbolic play is effective in promoting the occupational performance of children with neurological symptoms. Methods: Pilot study in a neurological rehabilitation center using symbolic play as a therapeutic resource with 8 children with neurological symptoms for 8 weeks. Different standardized assessment instruments have been used to capture participation in the game, occupational performance and identify and measure the achievement of objectives. Results: The game performance of the participants is described and a statistically significant improvement in mobility and social function is observed after the intervention. There is a slight upward trend in the PEDI-CAT and PEDI domains and all the children achieved at least one of the established objectives. Conclusions: The participants have improved their occupational performance and their parents consider that they are more independent. There is an increase in the motivation of the children to participate in occupations and a decrease in the support provided by parents. It cannot be generalized that symbolic play is effective as an intervention method as it is a pilot study, proposing new lines of research to carry out studies with a greater impact. (AU)
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Child, Preschool , Child , Adult , Neuropathology , Occupational Therapy , Play and Playthings , Personal Autonomy , Longitudinal Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
We have previously demonstrated prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE)-related alterations in maternal and infant iron homeostasis. Given that early iron deficiency and PAE both lead to growth restriction and deficits in recognition memory and processing speed, we hypothesized that PAE-related iron homeostasis alterations may mediate and/or moderate effects of PAE on growth and neurobehavior. We examined this hypothesis in a prenatally recruited, prospective longitudinal birth cohort [87 mother-infant pairs with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure (mean = 7.2 drinks/occasion on 1.4 days/week); 71 controls], with serial growth measures and infant neurobehavioral assessments. PAE was related to growth restriction at 2 weeks and 5 years, and, in infancy, poorer visual recognition memory, slower processing speed, lower complexity of symbolic play, and higher emotionality and shyness on a parental report temperament scale. Lower maternal hemoglobin-to-log(ferritin) ratio, which we have shown to be associated with PAE, appeared to exacerbate PAE-related 2-week head circumference reductions, and elevated maternal ferritin, which we have shown to be associated with PAE, appeared to exacerbate PAE-related visual recognition memory deficits. In causal inference analyses, PAE-related elevations in maternal ferritin and hemoglobin:log(ferritin) appeared to statistically mediate 22.6-82.3% of PAE-related growth restriction. These findings support potential mechanistic roles of iron homeostasis alterations in fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD).
Subject(s)
Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders , Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects , Infant , Female , Pregnancy , Humans , Prospective Studies , Ethanol , Ferritins , Homeostasis , Hemoglobins , IronABSTRACT
Symbolic play is considered an early indicator in the diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and its assessment. The objective of this study was to analyze the difficulties in symbolic play experienced by children with ASD and to determine the existence of differences in symbolic play among children with ASD, children with other neurodevelopmental disorders and children with typical development. A scoping review was carried out in the Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, ERIC, and PsycInfo databases, following the extension for scoping reviews of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. The number of papers included in the review was 22. The results confirm that children with ASD have greater difficulties with symbolic play than children with other neurodevelopmental disorders and children with typical development, even when controlling for their verbal age. Difficulties are greater in situations of free or spontaneous play. Results evidenced that the absence or deficiency in the symbolic play can serve as an early indicator of ASD between the first and second year of life, the developmental moment in which this type of play begins.
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Naturalistic developmental behavioural interventions are promising approaches for young children with, or suspected of having, autism spectrum disorder. Joint attention, symbolic play, engagement and regulation intervention (JASPER) is a well-researched naturalistic developmental behavioural intervention but, to date, no reviews have specifically evaluated its effects. This systematic literature review examined the effects of JASPER intervention and its components on child, parent and educator outcomes. Of the 96 articles screened, 19 were eligible for inclusion in the review. Most studies found that children who received JASPER intervention showed significantly greater improvements in at least one outcome related to child joint attention, joint engagement, play skills and language skills compared to the comparison group. Implementation outcomes for parents and educators were generally positive. There were no consistent predictors or mediators of treatment effects. None of the studies met all of the quality indicators outlined by the Council of Exceptional Children, and the majority of outcome measures were classified as proximal. Overall, JASPER intervention appears promising in improving child outcomes directly targeted during treatment. More research is needed to determine whether it is also effective in improving a wider range of outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder.Lay abstractInterventions which are delivered in natural contexts and use both developmental and behavioural techniques may be helpful for children with, or suspected of having, autism spectrum disorder. Joint attention, symbolic play, engagement and regulation (JASPER) is a type of intervention, which falls under this category. Although several studies have examined the effects of JASPER, this has not yet been summarised in a review. This systematic literature review examined the effects of JASPER intervention, and the techniques that make up JASPER, on child, parent and educator outcomes. We screened 96 articles and, of these, 19 were included in the review. Most studies found that children who received JASPER intervention showed significantly greater improvements in at least one outcome related to child joint attention, joint engagement, play skills, and language skills compared to children who did not receive JASPER intervention. Parents and educators were mostly able to use the JASPER techniques. There were no consistent child, parent, teacher or treatment characteristics that influenced the effects of the JASPER intervention. None of the studies met all of the indicators of being a good quality study outlined by the Council of Exceptional Children. Overall, JASPER intervention appears promising in improving child outcomes directly targeted during treatment. More research is needed to determine whether it is also effective in improving a wider range of outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Attention , Autism Spectrum Disorder/drug therapy , Behavior Therapy , Child , Child, Preschool , Humans , Parent-Child Relations , ParentsABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: This study compares the self-initiated pretend play abilities of preschool-aged children with an acquired brain injury, with the self-initiated pretend play ability of their neurotypical peers. METHOD: A non-experimental group comparison was conducted between 22 preschool-aged neurotypical children (M = 52.8 months, SD = 7.1 months) and 21 children with an acquired brain injury (ABI, M = 50.5 months, SD = 11.9 months), who had been discharged from inpatient rehabilitation and who were able to engage in a play session. The children were assessed individually using the Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (ChIPPA). RESULTS: The children with an ABI had significantly lower scores in pretend play ability than their neurotypical peers as measured by the percentage of elaborate play actions in both the conventional (P < .000) and symbolic (P < .000) sections of the ChIPPA, as well as the number of object substitutions (P < .000). The children with an ABI completed significantly less of the play time required compared with their neurotypical peers (P = .001); 66% could not play for the required time. There was no significant difference in the ChIPPA scores of the children with an ABI injured before and after the age of 18 months, nor between children with a severe or moderate injury. CONCLUSION: The quality and the quantity of pretend play of preschool-aged children with an ABI are significantly below that of their neurotypical peers. Assessment of pretend play ability and direct intervention in ABI rehabilitation by occupational therapists is essential to enable children with an ABI to participate in pretend play and garner the developmental benefit this affords.
Subject(s)
Brain Injuries , Occupational Therapy , Child, Preschool , Humans , Infant , Play and PlaythingsABSTRACT
Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often lack symbolic play skills. Attribution of pretend properties (APP) is a type of symbolic play in which a child tacts pretend properties of an object (e.g., smelling a toy flower and saying, "It smells like a rose!"). Three Chinese boys (5-6 years of age) with ASD served as participants. A multiple-probe design across 5 objects was used to determine the effects of an intervention that involved having the child experience and tact sensory properties of real objects (e.g., rose). Corresponding test objects, including mock (e.g., a toy flower) and arbitrary objects (e.g., a stick), were used to evaluate whether tact responses for sensory properties were transferred. Results indicated that all 3 children emitted tacts of stimulus properties for test objects and maintained the skill for 7 to 10 weeks following the intervention. Two participants also tacted novel (nontarget) properties for test objects.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Autistic Disorder , Child , Humans , Male , SmellABSTRACT
Children with autism often have difficulties in imaginative play, Theory of Mind, and playing out different scenarios in their minds. Research shows that the root of these problems may be the voluntary imagination network that involves the lateral prefrontal cortex and its long frontoposterior connections to the temporal-parietal-occipital area. Previously disconnected visuospatial issues (stimulus overselectivity and tunnel vision) and language issues (lack of comprehension of spatial prepositions and complex recursive sentences) may be explained by the same voluntary imagination deficit. This review highlights the new insights into the mechanism of voluntary imagination, its difference from involuntary imagination, and its unusually strong critical period. Clearer developmental terminology and a better understanding of voluntary imagination have the potential to facilitate communication between therapists and parents, and improve therapy outcomes in children.
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Many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) do not have symbolic play skills. One type of symbolic play involves playing with imaginary objects, in which a child displays play actions without actual objects. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of video modeling on the acquisition, maintenance, and generalization of playing with imaginary objects in young children with ASD. Three male Chinese children (aged 4-5 years) with ASD participated in this study. A multiple-probe across three behaviors design was used. The results indicated that video modeling was effective in establishing and maintaining target symbolic play behaviors for the three children. Generalization to untaught imaginary play activities occurred in all three children.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Child , Child, Preschool , Generalization, Psychological , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
LAY ABSTRACT: Although young children may participate in education and intervention programs that take place in classrooms or groups, there is little information about how toddlers with special needs, and specifically toddlers with autism, are engaging with their peers. This study takes place in a public center-based early intervention program for toddlers with autism. Classrooms of toddlers were randomly assigned to an individual social communication intervention or the same intervention adapted to include a peer. Children in both groups made gains in social communication and play skills. Children who had the peer intervention were more engaged with peers when an adult was present, but not when the children were unsupported. This article adds information about early skills that may be important for children to master so that they have more success when trying to interact with their peers. These skills include understanding language (referred to as "receptive language" at 12 months or more) and play skills including building and stacking (referred to as "combination play"-for example, building with blocks or completing a puzzle) and extending familiar actions to themselves, others, and figures (referred to as "presymbolic play"-for example, putting a bottle to the doll or to themselves). Understanding which skills to target can help practitioners focus their instruction to build children's skills toward connecting with peers through play.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder , Autistic Disorder , Adult , Attention , Autistic Disorder/therapy , Child, Preschool , Communication , Humans , Peer GroupABSTRACT
The aim of this paper was to assess strengths and fragilities in children aged 6 to 10 who suffered one or more hospitalizations. State and trait anxiety, coping abilities, and cognitive and affective functioning through play were assessed using a triangulation approach. Fifty hospitalized children aged 6-10 were compared to 50 non-hospitalized children, and children at first admission were compared with children with more than one hospitalization experience. The State-Trait Anxiety Scales Inventory for Children was administered for assessing trait and state anxiety, and the Children's Coping Strategies Checklist (Revision 1) was administered to assess coping dimensions. The Affect in Play Scale - Preschool - Brief (Extended version) was used to assess cognitive and affective dimensions of play. No significant differences were found for trait anxiety between hospitalized vs. non-hospitalized children. Instead, as expected, state anxiety was significantly higher in hospitalized childen than in the non-hospitalized children. Hospitalized children reported higher scores than non-hospitalized children in support-seeking strategies. As for pretend play, hospitalized children showed significantly higher cognitive scores than non-hospitalized children. However, hospitalized children appeared significantly more restricted in their affect expressions. No significant differences were found for play and anxiety scores between children admitted for the first time in the hospital ward and children with more than one admission. However, children at first admission scored higher in coping and positive cognitive restructuring and in avoidance-coping strategies than children with more than one admission. The initial assessment of the interplay of key variables such as anxiety, coping and play can inform healthcare professionals by serving as a guide in order to determine a child's risk for negative psychological outcomes due to hospitalization, to plan appropriate interventions and to provide substantial assistance to hospitalized children in the future.
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Symbolic play skills are important in language acquisition and child development. Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have difficulties demonstrating such play behaviors. Imaginary objects symbolic play refers to play behavior in which children perform play actions without actual objects. Three boys with ASD (3-7 years) participated in this study. A multiple-probe across three participants and two settings design was employed to evaluate the effects of intraverbal training on the acquisition and generalization of imaginary objects symbolic play. Results indicated that all children acquired and maintained target imaginary objects play activities. Generalization to untaught activities occurred in one child. All three children' symbolic play emerged or increased in free play after the instruction.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder/complications , Autism Spectrum Disorder/psychology , Language Development Disorders/etiology , Language Development Disorders/psychology , Teaching , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Language Development , MaleABSTRACT
Objective: Children with behavioral problems often have problems with symbolic play organization, specifically with the regulation of negative affect and its representation. One of the aims of psychodynamic therapy with these children is enhancing their symbolic and mentalizing capacities in play. This study investigated the associations between promoting mentalization, and the growth of symbolic play and affect regulation. Method: The sample included 48 children with behavioral problems, who underwent long-term psychodynamic treatment informed with mentalization principles, with good outcome. Three hundred twenty-nine sessions were coded for children's symbolic play and affect regulation strategies, and each treatment was rated for adherence to mentalizing principles. Results: Hierarchical linear modeling showed quadratic growth of variables, wherein symbolic play initially increased followed by a deceleration in change, whereas affect regulation initially decreased followed by an increase. Adherence to mentalizing principles was associated with both symbolic play and affect regulation. A two-way interaction between time in treatment and adherence to mentalization showed that in high adherent treatments, affect regulation increased towards the end of treatment, whereas in low adherent treatments, there was no change. Conclusion: Results show support for the association between adherence to mentalization and growth of affect regulation and symbolic play in psychodynamic therapy.
Subject(s)
Child Behavior , Emotional Regulation , Mentalization , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Play and Playthings , Problem Behavior , Psychotherapy, Psychodynamic , Treatment Adherence and Compliance , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , MaleABSTRACT
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) may not develop symbolic play skills, so such skills need to be taught specifically. We report an experiment regarding a procedure targeting "object-substitution" symbolic play skills. The "object-substitution" symbolic play behavior occurred when the child labeled a common object with the name of a substitute and used the object to perform a play action (e.g., As she put a bowl on her head, she called it a hat). A multiple probe across behaviors design was employed with five children (four boys and one girl, aged 3 to 6 years) with ASD. All children had verbal communication and demonstrated functional play and generalized imitation, but no symbolic play skills prior to the study. The instruction consisted of intraverbal training, picture prompts, and modeling of play actions. All children demonstrated object-substitution symbolic play skills after the instruction. The occurrences of response generalization were also discussed.
Subject(s)
Autism Spectrum Disorder/rehabilitation , Child Behavior , Imitative Behavior , Play and Playthings , Psychotherapy/methods , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Symbolic play has long been considered a fertile context for communicative development (Bruner, 1983, Child's talk: Learning to use language, Oxford University Press, Oxford; Vygotsky, 1962, Thought and language, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA; Vygotsky, 1978, Mind in society: The development of higher psychological processes. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, MA). In the current study, we examined caregiver-infant interaction during symbolic play and compared it to interaction in a comparable but non-symbolic context (i.e., 'functional' play). Fifty-four (N = 54) caregivers and their 18-month-old infants were observed engaging in 20 min of play (symbolic, functional). Play interactions were coded and compared across play conditions for joint attention (JA) and gesture use. Compared with functional play, symbolic play was characterized by greater frequency and duration of JA and greater gesture use, particularly the use of iconic gestures with an object in hand. The results suggest that symbolic play provides a rich context for the exchange and negotiation of meaning, and thus may contribute to the development of important skills underlying communicative development. Statement of contribution Current knowledge Symbolic play has long been linked to communicative development. We do not know the extent to which the social context of symbolic play fosters communicative skills. Present study We test whether key communicative acts (joint attention, gesture) are more common in infant-caregiver dyads during symbolic versus functional play. Joint attention was established more often and sustained for longer periods in symbolic play than in functional play. Infants and caregivers produced more in-hand representational gestures in symbolic compared to functional play.
Subject(s)
Attention/physiology , Child Development/physiology , Gestures , Infant Behavior/physiology , Nonverbal Communication/physiology , Parent-Child Relations , Parents , Play and Playthings , Adult , Humans , Infant , MothersABSTRACT
This study prospectively explored the role of declarative and imperative gestures in the development of language and symbolic play milestones using a multi-measure micro-analytic approach. Nine infants were observed in their natural home environments once a month for a one hour session between the ages of 8-16 months by recording their spontaneous pre-lingual and lingual form usages and symbolic play acts. This framework enabled the coding of object- and human-directed vocalization, babbling, speech, declarative and imperative gestures, and four types of symbolic play acts: single-object play, single-object sequences, multi-object play, and multi-object sequences. The relative degree of usage of each type of behavior was examined. The results showed that declarative and imperative gestures frequency of usage are related to all language milestones for the short and long term. The infants' gestures were related to symbolic play for the long term; their declarative gestures supported most of the levels of symbolic acts and their imperative gestures supported multi-object sequences. The results are explained in terms of the structural building blocks and contextual framework of gestures, which may scaffold infants' preliminary symbolic behavior.
Subject(s)
Gestures , Infant Behavior , Language Development , Play and Playthings , Female , Humans , Infant , Language , Male , Prospective Studies , SpeechABSTRACT
RESUMO O brincar primitivo do bebê poderia nos revelar traços precoces de uma provável organização autística em curso na criança pequena? Em que medida o investimento do bebê face aos objetos do mundo externo e do ambiente poderia ser associado a suas primeiras experiências com o objeto materno? Tais questões são levantadas neste artigo, cujo principal objetivo é abordar o processo de subjetivação da criança autista a partir da correlação entre o brincar primitivo do bebê e o brincar simbólico da criança. Por meio de um estudo longitudinal de bebês com risco de autismo, constatou-se que, desde uma idade precoce, é possível detectar particularidades na maneira como eles investem e interagem com os objetos do ambiente.
ABSTRACT Could the primitive play of the baby reveal early traces of a probable autistic organization underway with the young child? To what extent the investment of the baby with regard to the objects of the external world and the environment could be associated with his first experiences with the maternal object? Such questions are addressed in this article, which main objective is to address the subjectivation process of autistic children, on basis of the relation between the early play of the baby and the symbolic play of the young child. Through a longitudinal study of infants showing risk of autism, it has been found that it is possible to detect at an early age peculiarities in the way they invest and interact with the objects of their environment.
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Ao partirmos da noção de que os primeiros gestos espontâneos e criativos do bebê revelam aspectos importantes da qualidade de suas primeiras relações precoces com o objeto materno, bem como de seu processo de adaptação ao ambiente dito suficientemente bom, podemos presumir que o brincar primitivo do bebê possui um importante papel de sinalizador de sofrimento psíquico. Por meio de um estudo longitudinal de bebês com risco de autismo acompanhados entre os 6 meses e 3 anos, pôde-se constatar que a maneira como esses bebês exploram, interagem e respondem a um brincar compartilhado com o outro se diferencia significativamente da de bebês que apresentam um atraso do desenvolvimento psicomotor, sem traços de risco de autismo, e de bebês saudáveis (normais).
Using the notion that the first spontaneous and creative gestures of babies reveal important aspects of the quality of their first early relationships with the maternal object, as well as their process of adaptation to an environment considered as good enough, we can assume that the primitive play of babies has an important role to identify psychical distress. Through a longitudinal study of infants showing risk of autism, followed between 6 months and 3 years, we could find that the way these babies explore, interact and respond to a shared play with others significantly differ from babies who have a developmental delay without autistic traits, and healthy (normal) babies.
Si tomamos la noción de que los primeros gestos espontáneos y creativos del bebé aparecen aspectos importantes de la calidad de sus relaciones precoces con el objeto materno, así como el proceso de adaptación a un medio considerado suficientemente bueno, podemos suponer que estos juegos primitivos del bebé tienen un rol importante en la identificación del sufrimiento psíquico. A través de un estudio longitudinal con bebés que presentaban evidencias de riesgos autistas, seguidos entre los 6 meses hasta los 3 años de edad, mostró una diferencia significativa en la manera como estos exploran, interactúan y responden al juego con otros, en comparación con los que presentan un retardo en el desarrollo psicomotor, sin rasgos autistas, y con los de desarrollo normal.
