Pretend Play in Children with ASD: an analysis of the three support levels

• Grant number: 25/03369-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2025
• End date: August 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Amanda Mota Pacciulio Sposito
• Grantee: Felipe Henrique Spoti Caran
• Supervisor: Karen Ellen Stagnitti
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto (FMRP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Ribeirão Preto , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Deakin University, Geelong, Australia
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/07794-7 - Children´s pretend play in Autism Spectrum Disorder: an analysis of different levels of support, BP.IC

Abstract

Symbolic play is essential for children's social and cognitive development, as itfosters communication, abstraction, and problem-solving skills. However, children withAutism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often exhibit difficulties in developing symbolic play.Understanding the differences in pretend play abilities across the three support levels ofASD can provide valuable insights for designing more effective therapeutic interventions.This research project aims to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze symbolic play skills inchildren with ASD using the Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (ChIPPA), aninternationally validated instrument. The proposed international research internship will beconducted with the team led by Emeritus Professor Karen Stagnitti at Deakin University,Australia, a global reference in the study of symbolic play. During the internship, qualitativeand quantitative analyses of the data previously collected in Brazil will be carried out, and ascientific article will be written.