PLAY AS ACTIVITY AND PLAY AS THERAPY IN CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES

Abstract

The play presents a normal expression in children, which can be affected by the ethnicity, language, religion or other cultural aspects. Not only the central place it has, but also it is crucial for the child’s development, intensive motor and sensory stimulation, which are results of the play, help the normal development of the brain and prevent neuronal loss. On the other hand, is not only important to promote normal childhood development, it has invaluable therapeutic benefits.
The main goal of the study was to determinate the frequency and the type of play activities that children with disabilities prefer, as well as to potentiate the therapeutic power of the play. There were used methods of comparative and descriptive analysis and the method of generalization. A literature review and assessment scales for play activities were used as techniques. The sample was consisted of 32 examinees with disabilities aged between 7 and 12 years.
The obtained results highlighted the importance of the application of play therapy for children with disabilities, according to the fact that 82% of examinees most of the leisure time spend in watching TV or using a computer.