Effectiveness of sand play therapy on challenging behaviors and anxiety in children with high-functioning autism disorder

The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of sand play therapy on challenging behaviors and anxiety in children with high-functioning autism disorder.

The research method was semi-experimental with pre-test and post-test design and control group. The statistical population of this study included all children aged 7-11 years old with autism disorder who received health care services from Tehran health centers and rehabilitation centers in 2018. In this study, 16 boys with high-functioning autism disorder were selected using available sampling method based on Autism Spectrum Scale Questionnaire, then 8 of them were randomly placed in the experiment group and 8 others were assigned into the control group. The Revised Scale of Challenging Behaviors of Bodfish, Symons, Parker & Lewis (2000), was used to assess challenging behaviors and Anxiety Inventory of Spence, Barrett & Turner (2003), was used to assess anxiety. The experiment group received a sand play therapeutic intervention in 10 sessions of 45 minutes during the two months individually. At the end, both groups were re-assessed. Data were analyzed using multivariable covariance analysis.

The findings of this study showed that sand play therapy reduced challenging behaviors and anxiety of children with high-functioning autism disorder.

According to the results, we can use sand paly therapy to reduce challenging behaviors and anxiety of children with high-functioning autism disorder as an interventional method