The role of group plays in improving communication skills in children with autism spectrum disorder from the perspective of specialists in Palestine

Abstract

The study aimed to identify the role of group play in improving communication skills among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from the perspective of specialists in Palestine. To achieve the study's objectives, the descriptive analytical approach was adopted. The study population consisted of all specialists dealing with children with ASD in the Hebron and Bethlehem governorates. A questionnaire was used as a research tool, which was designed and distributed to a sample of (70) specialists. The study revealed that the role of group plays in improving communication skills among children with ASD, as perceived by specialists in Palestine, was significantly high, with a mean score of (3.47) and a standard deviation of (0.988). The findings showed that group play significantly enhances verbal and non-verbal communication skills, as well as social communication skills, among children with ASD. Additionally, the results indicated no statistically significant differences in the responses of the study sample regarding the role of group play in improving communication skills among children with ASD based on variables such as gender, educational qualifications, and years of experience. The study recommended integrating group play as an essential part of educational and therapeutic programs for children with ASD to enhance their communication skills.