Using the children's play therapy instrument (CPTI) to measure the development of play in simultaneous treatment: A case study

This study uses a new rating scale, the Children's Play Therapy instrument (CPTI), to assess process and outcome in the simultaneous treatment of a two-year-five-month (2:5-year) old child with autistic features. The rating scale divides the therapy session into segments of Non-Play, Pre-Play, Play Activity, and Play Interruption. The longest segment of Play Activity within a session is then analyzed on three levels: Descriptive, Structural, and Functional. Two sessions are analyzed, one at the beginning of treatment and one at the end of seven months. Significant progress was evident in all areas measured. This clinical case demonstrates the usefulness of the CPTI for research, teaching, and clinical work. However, further use of the instrument with larger and diverse samples is needed to fully demonstrate its validity as a clinical and research tool.