Play therapy with children with autism spectrum disorder

Iako danas postoji mnogo terapija namijenjenih osobama s teškoćama, nedovoljno je razvijenih i dostupnih intervencija koje su usmjerene na pruţanje savjetodavne ili psihoterapijske podrške ovoj populaciji. Posebno je zabrinjavajuće i što takve intervencije nisu dostupne djeci i mladima s poremećajem iz spektra autizma koji su podloţniji problemima mentalnog zdravlja što zajedno s obiljeţjima primarne teškoće i nerazumijevanjem okoline značajno narušava kvalitetu njihovog ţivota. Upravo zbog toga vaţno je istraţiti mogućnosti primjene terapije igrom kao jednog od oblika psihoterapije za razrješavanje i preveniranje različitih psihosocijalnih teškoća s kojima se djeca s poremećajem iz spektra autizma susreću. Razni autori pretpostavili su kako sigurno okruţenje i razvoj privrţenog odnosa unutar terapije igrom moţe dijete s autizmom na temelju intrinzične motivacije potaknuti na daljnji razvoj poštivajući njegov integritet i autentičnost. Studije slučaja prikazane u radu pokazale su pozitivan utjecaj terapije igrom na područja koja uobičajeno nisu u fokusu tijekom rada s navedenom populacijom, a koja su vaţna za razvoj zadovoljavajućeg odnosa prema sebi i drugima, kao što su empatija, privrţenost, autonomija i suočavanje s traumama. Dodatan argument za ovakvu praksu nude i ispitana spremnost roditelja na uključivanje u terapiju igrom te perspektiva stručnjaka koji imaju pozitivna iskustva na ovom području. Iako je primjenu terapije igrom u radu s ovom djecom vrlo izazovno potkrijepiti kvantitativnim znanstvenim dokazima, potrebno je provesti daljnja istraţivanja jer kao stručnjaci imamo odgovornost proširiti lepezu učinkovitih intervencija koje odgovaraju različitim potrebama, interesima i karakteristikama pripadnicima tako heterogene skupine kao što su djeca s teškoćama.Although there are many therapies available today for people with disabilities, there isn't enough developed and available interventions aimed at providing counseling or psychotherapy support to this population. It is particularly worrying that such interventions are not available to children and young people with autism spectrum disorders who are more vulnerable to mental health problems, which, together with the characteristics of primary disability and misunderstanding from society, significantly impair their quality of life. Because of that, it is important to explore the possibilities of using play therapy as a form of psychotherapy to address and prevent the various psychosocial difficulties that children with autism spectrum disorders encounter. Various authors have suggested that a secure environment and the development of an attachment relationship within play therapy can encourage a child with autism to further develop based on intrinsic motivation while respecting his or her integrity and authenticity. The case studies presented in this paper have shown the positive impact of play therapy in areas that are not usually in focus while working with the population in question, and which are important for developing a healthy relationship to oneself and others, such as empathy, attachment, autonomy, and trauma management. An additional argument for this practice is offered by the proven willingness of parents to engage in play therapy and the perspective of professionals with positive experiences in this field. Although the use of play therapy with these children is very challenging to confirm with quantitative scientific evidence, further research is needed as we, as professionals, have a responsibility to expand the range of effective interventions that meet the diverse needs, interests and characteristics of members of such a heterogeneous group of children with disabilities