The Effectiveness of Training Program Based on Playgroup Activities on Social and Communication Skills of Children with Autism

Abstract

Autism affects the normal growth of the brain in social and communication skills, whereas children with autism often faced difficulties in verbal and nonverbal communication and social interaction as well as in the activities of entertainment. Autism causes difficulty in communicating with others and in connecting with the outside world. Nowadays, it is common to use play therapy for supporting children with autism. Play therapy is an active approach that helps a child to reveal his conscious and unconscious feelings through playing. The study aimed to examine the effectiveness of training program based on playgroup activities on social and communication skills of children with autism Setting: the study was conducted at Menoufia university hospital at Shebin El-Koom City, Menoufia Governorate, and Tanta University Hospitals, Tanta, Al-Gharbia Governorate, Egypt. Sample: A convenience sample of 60 autistic children were enrolled from the previously above-mentioned settings. Results: The mean age of the studied children was 7.86±2.01 versus 7.86±2.06 years for the case and control group with a mean age of 7.86 ± 2.02 years for both groups. Approximately most of the studied children (83.3%) versus (80%) for the control group were males, with no significant difference between cases and control group regarding Socio-demographic characteristics. There was a highly statistically significant difference between pre and post-intervention programs (Playgroup Activities) regarding total mean verbal communication skills, non-verbal communication, and social interaction score among cases and control groups pre-and post-intervention (p<0.001). Conclusion: It was concluded that a training program based on playgroup activities influences the social and communication skills of children with autism. Recommendations: application of a training program based on playgroup activities as complementary training with a medication regimen was recommended to improve the social and communication skills of children with autism.