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Thesis
Self-Initiated Play and Socialization in Children with Cerebral Palsy: Implications for Dance/Movement Therapy
Master of Arts (M.A.), Drexel University
Aug 2009
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-3564
Abstract
The objective of this preliminary mixed form naturalistic observation study was to assess the self-initiated free play behavior and related social interactions of children with cerebral palsy. The problem that it explored was the impaired ability for children with cerebral palsy to develop social skills. One forty-five minute observation took place at United Cerebral Palsy (UCP) of Philadelphia's "Best Friends" inclusive preschool program. The subjects included two African American males, both age five years, and diagnosed with cerebral palsy. Two observers focused on the following nonverbal social interaction behaviors as defined by the literature, eye contact/gaze, postural shifts, gestures, touch, attunement, joint attention, imitation/approximate echoing, verbalizations, equipment used, boundaries, and initiator of the interaction, within the context of free play. The major findings were that children with cerebral palsy can engage in self-initiated free play, but are often restricted by the environment that they are in which impacts their ability to initiate and join others in social play. They spend more time initiating interactions with adults rather than seeking interactions with peers. Many times the children with cerebral palsy were assisted by others in play, and participated in interactions initiated by others more than self-initiated relations. The children use some social interaction behaviors while in play. The most commonly used nonverbal social interaction behavior was eye contact/gaze, followed by gesture, verbalizations, posture and touch. Joint attention and imitation/approximate echoing were used to a lesser extent, and attunement was not witnessed at all. It is concluded that children with cerebral palsy do have difficulties in social interactions while engaged in self-initiated free play. With this knowledge, interventions within dance/movement therapy can focus on the areas of needs, specifically attunement, and initiating interactions with peers, as well as working with the child's current skills to strengthen and expand their repertoire of social interaction behaviors.
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Details
- Title
- Self-Initiated Play and Socialization in Children with Cerebral Palsy
- Creators
- Courtney L. Kramer - DU
- Contributors
- Gayle Gates (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Arts (M.A.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Creative Arts Therapies; College of Nursing and Health Professions; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 3564; 991014632529304721