Can we enhance the social communication skills of preschool children with Autism Spectrum Conditions through play?

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

ISRCTN

Registry ID

ISRCTN79413977

Enrollment

Registered

2012-04-11

Start date

2011-09-01

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2020-01-06

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Preschool children with Autism Spectrum Conditions Mental and Behavioural Disorders Childhood autism

Interventions

Children will be matched into pairs and then randomly allocated to either the intervention or treatment as usual condition. The play intervention will take place daily at preschool with the child and

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: 1. Attending a special educational needs funded place for children with social communication needs in a children's centre 2. Aged between 2 years 9 months and 5 years 3. Written parental consent

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: 1. Speech and language delay in the absence of social communication concerns 2. Major medical conditions impacting on the effects of the intervention

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
1. Preschool teacher-rated SDQ 2. Symbolic Play Test 3. 10-minute video recording of child engaged in free play with peers coded using the M-COSMIC, developmental and social level of play	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
No secondary outcome measures	—

Countries

United Kingdom

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ISRCTN (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026