Seven children (ages 4 to 7) with autism were taught to engage in symbolic play using Pivotal Response Training. Children with autism rarely exhibited symbolic play before training, but after training they learned to perform complex and creative symbolic play at levels similar to that of language-matched controls. Interaction skills also improved…

Two experiments compared effects of play initiation training on subsequent social interactions between preschool/kindergarten students with severe disabilities and their nonhandicapped peers within play contexts. Training the disabled child in social initiation and play skills was more effective than providing awareness activities and rewards to…

Mothers and caregivers of 28 preschoolers were trained to facilitate children's play. Play training of adults was shown to be an effective mechanism for enhancing preschoolers' verbal cognition. Training of mothers and caregivers was more effective than training of caregivers only. (CB)