DIFFERENTIATION OF RETARDED AND NORMAL CHILDREN THROUGH TOY-PLAY ANALYSIS

An observational measurement technique f o r differentiation of organic mentally retarded and normal children was examined. Three groups of Ss-20 six-year-old retardates and 40 normal children matched with the retardates on CA or MA -were videotaped individually during an 18-minute period in which each S was free to play with any toys he chose. This period was divided usages in one of 10 predetermined categories of toy play. Discriminant function analyses were computed comparing the three possible pairs of groups. Significant differences were found between (a) retardates and normal 6-year-olds, (b) normal 6-year-olds and normal 3-year-olds, and (c) retardates and normal 3-year-olds. The Combinations category of toy play was the most important predictor in differentiating both normal groups from the retarded group. into 54 20-second intervals with two independent observers recording all toy.