Effectiveness of Recreational Play Program on Reducing Social Withdrawal and Stereotype Behavior among Children with Autism

Abdel Hakeem Omar, Nora; Mohamed Mourad, Ghada; Fathi Mohamed EL-attar, Naglaa

doi:10.21608/jnsbu.2023.310305

Effectiveness of Recreational Play Program on Reducing Social Withdrawal and Stereotype Behavior among Children with Autism

Document Type : Scientific peer reviewed journal

Authors

¹ Assistant lecture at psychiatric nursing and mental health, Faculty of nursing, Sohag University

² Professor of Psychiatric & Mental Health Nursing Faculty of Nursing - Ain shams University

³ Assistant professor of Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing - Benha University

10.21608/jnsbu.2023.310305

Abstract

Background: Autism spectrum disorders is the most common and fasting-growing
developmental disability with unclearly identified psychopathology. Participation in recreation
activities is an important contributor to quality of life and wellbeing of autism children. Aim of the
study: to evaluate the effectiveness of a recreational play program on reducing social withdrawal and
stereotype behavior among children with autism. Design: A quasi-experimental design was utilized
in this study. Setting: The study was conducted at outpatient clinic at psychiatric health hospital at
Benha City, Kaluobia Governorate. Sample: A purposive sample consisting of 60 children with
autism Tools: In this study four tools were used for data collection: Tool (I): A semi-structured
interviewing questionnaire included socio-demographic data and knowledge about recreational play
activities. Tool (II) Social withdrawal behavior scale for children with autism. Tool (III): Stereotype
behavior scale for children with autism. Results: There was highly statistically significant difference
for the studied children's total social withdrawal behavior pre and post program implementation and
there was highly statistically significant difference for studied children's total stereotype behavior pre
and post program implementation and there was high and there was correlation between the total
score of the knowledge about recreational activities and the total scores of social withdrawal behavior
and total score of the stereotype behavior among autistic children pre and post program
implementation. Conclusion: Recreational play program had positive effect on reducing social
withdrawal and stereotype behavior and there was improvement in the total scores of social
withdrawal and stereotype behavior of autism children Recommendations: Application of the
recreational play activities as an educational strategy due to it is importance and provide children with
different desired behaviors.

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