Can You See Us Play? Observing Inclusive Outdoor Play Behaviour Among Children With and Without Disabilities: A Mixed Methods Study.
R Q Beekhuizen, M A T Bloemen, E A M Bolster and 7 others
PMID 41340535WHAT IT FOUND
Boys and children with disabilities scored lower for playfulness during inclusive outdoor play sessions.
Observations showed children with disabilities often used non-verbal cues, while their invitations to play were more often rejected.
Key findings
01Boys and children with disabilities had lower playfulness scores, while play location, age category and assistive device use were not significantly associated.
02Boys had lower environmental supportiveness scores, but disability status, play location, age category and assistive device use were not significantly associated.
03Children with disabilities often relied on non-verbal cues to make contact, and invitations from children with disabilities were more often rejected.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for PTsWhat it means for OTs
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What it does not show
This was an observational study, not a trial of therapy, so it cannot show that any treatment caused the scores. The setting was playgrounds of two special education schools, not public playgrounds, so results may not apply to other environments. Most children with disabilities knew the playground and many peers, while most children without disabilities were visiting for the first time, so familiarity may have shaped interactions. Participating families may already have valued inclusive play, so barriers could be larger in less resourced families. Some disabilities were not visible, and one diagnosis was unknown, so disability type could not be fully separated. Observers rated behaviour, but children's own views were not asked, so intentions and feelings may be missing. The study included 63 children across six sessions, which is enough for patterns but not for firm conclusions about subgroups.
Declared interests
Funding was provided by Nationaal Regieorgaan Praktijkgericht Onderzoek SIA (RAAK.PRO04.051). The supplied text does not report a conflicts of interest declaration.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read lower playfulness scores as proof that children with disabilities are less playful. The study observed one setting and found barriers to contact and equipment access, so the scores may reflect limited opportunity to show playfulness rather than a child trait.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →