The Limited Playmate: A Naturalistic Case Study of Sibling-Mediated Play Interactions in a Child with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Abstract
Play-based interactions with siblings are widely recognized as an ideal context for fostering social skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). However, the natural dynamics of these interactions within the home environment remain insufficiently explored. This study examined the natural play interaction patterns between a 5-year-old boy with ASD and his 13-year-old sibling through a qualitative case-study design. Data were gathered from naturalistic observations and video recordings across ten home-based sessions. The findings show that, despite the sibling’s presence, meaningful social interaction was highly limited. The child’s play was predominantly solitary and sensorimotor in nature (e.g., blocks, toy cars), marked by brief attention spans and strong susceptibility to external distractions such as television. The child with ASD also frequently ignored or avoided interaction attempts initiated by the sibling.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.17509/jassi.v25i2.92671
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