Play Preference and Play Performance in Normal Boys and Boys with Sensory Integrative Dysfunction

Abstract

The Preschool Play Scale and Preschool Play Materials Preference Inventory were administered to 66 pre-school-age boys (35 normal, 31 with sensory integrative [SI] dysfunction). Data were analyzed descriptively. The results demonstrated that (a) normal pre-school-age boys and pre-school-age boys with SI dysfunction did not differ with regard to play preference; (b) preschool-age boys with SI dysfunction scored significantly lower than did their normal peers on three of the four dimensions of the play scale; and (c) there was no relationship between play preference and performance for the boys with SI dysfunction and only a moderate relationship for the normal boys. Furthermore, none of the scores of the normal preschoolers fell into the category of high preference, low performance in any area of play, whereas 9% of the scores of the boys with SI dysfunction were associated with this type of play deficit. A greater percentage of scores (22%) of the boys with SI dysfunction fell into the category of low preference, low performance in given play categories; only 4% of the scores of the normal boys fell into this category. Clinical implications and recommendations for further study of play deficits are discussed.

Keywords

assessment process occupational therapy planning process play development sensory integrative dysfunction

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