Assessment of Playfulness in Children with Autistic Disorder: A Comparison of the Children's Playfulness Scale and the Test of Playfulness

This study investigated the Children's Playfulness Scale (CPS) and the Test of Playfulness (ToP) in assessing children with autistic disorder. Twenty-four children aged 41 to 86 months were assessed on the CPS by a parent and on the CPS and the ToP by occupational therapists who rated two 15-minute unstructured and structured play sessions. Analysis of the data revealed correlations between the CPS parent and therapist ratings and the CPS and ToP scores for observed play sessions. A statistically significant difference (F = 79.263; p = .01) between parent CPS ratings and therapist CPS ratings was found in the unstructured play session. Correlation coefficients revealed a strong, positive correlation between therapist-rated ToP and CPS assessments (unstructured play, r = .814, p < .05; structured play, r = .799, p < .05). Regarding therapist ratings of playfulness, the CPS and the ToP appear to assess a similar phenomenon and are clinically useful for children with autistic disorder