Play Therapy for Children with Developmental Disabilities

Research Topic
Play Therapy for Children with Developmental Disabilities

Lead Researcher
Toshio Kawai, Professor, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University

Collaborating Researchers
Motomi Toichi, Professor, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University

Yasuhiro Tanaka, Associate Professor, Education, Kyoto University

Yoshiko Kurokawa, Associate Professor, Human Life and Environment, Nara Women’s University

Chihiro Hasegawa, Lecturer, Human Sciences, Shimane University

Kotaro Umemura, Lecturer, Education, Kyoto University

Ai Hasegawa, Student Counselor, Nara University

Asami Minamoto, Researcher, Education, Kyoto University

Kohei Tazuke, Lecturer, Education, Nagoya University

Misato Matsunami, Clinical Psychological Counselor, Mie Prefectural Education Center

Yuka Suzuki, Assistant Professor, Education, Kyoto University

Tamami Nishi, Clinical Psychologist, Social Medical Corporation Kariyushi-kai, Heart Life Clinic

Motoshi Yamasaki, Assistant Professor, Education, Kyoto University

Joint Researchers
Yukiko Oba, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Toshiki Matsuoka, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Kyoko Toyohara, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Chisa Fumiyama, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Yuta Nagatani, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Ayuko Mizuno, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Yurie Hirako, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Kanna Yamashita, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Yuki Shimami, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Chika Matsumoto, Graduate Student, Education, Kyoto University

Center Co-Researchers
Chihiro Hatanaka, Senior Lecturer, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University

Hisae Konakawa, Research Fellow, Kokoro Research Center, Kyoto University

At present, developmental disabilities are considered disabilities of organic or innate cognitive development derived from an abnormality of the central nervous system of the brain. General support methods for people with developmental disabilities involve measures such as training, therapeutic rehabilitation, and pharmacotherapy approaches.

Approaches in play therapy, however, do not focus on promoting cognitive and social skill of a child, but rather aim at the psychological development of a child, that is, the inner maturation or self-establishment based on voluntary free play and interaction with a therapist. From individual case studies, the significance of psychotherapy or play therapy for children with developmental disabilities has often been reported. Therefore, in the research project, “A Psychotherapeutic Approach for Developmental Disabilities”, we conducted an empirical study to examine the effectiveness of psychotherapy for children with developmental disabilities. Case study meetings were held for the first three years (2008-2010), where “a lack of identity” was understood as the main characteristic of developmental disabilities, and the effectiveness of the therapy that helps the “identity to develop” was confirmed.

Based on the findings obtained through these works, we began conducting the 6-month play therapy for children with developmental disabilities from 2011. The effectiveness of psychotherapy was examined empirically using changes in the developmental index. Considering family dynamics, the significance of interviews with a nurturer were also examined.

In recent years, the number of such cases that cannot be regarded as within the scope of diagnosis have been increasing, even though these children have been diagnosed or suspected to have developmental disabilities. Namely, there are many children with relatively mild problems who are not included even in the diagnostic category. Such cases were included in this research project and were identified using characteristics of those children as well as the points in play therapy. We think that the points of play therapy for children with developmental disabilities would be applicable generally to other children. Based on this view, our present project also aims to accumulate the consideration for experimental studies and the investigation for a treatment mechanism, taking into account all aspects of child play therapy.

We are collaborating with Prof. Toichi from the medical department to ensure that neurophysiological and psychological perspectives are integrated in the project. This will help to establish an empirically effective methodology for play therapy. Further, the project aims to promote psychotherapy across a wider range of conditions and to help establish support systems for developmental disabilities by presenting quantitative knowledge that was previously missing.

2020/05/29