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Updated: Oct 26, 2025

Investigations on Alterations of Hippocampal Circuit Function Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
10:59

Investigations on Alterations of Hippocampal Circuit Function Following Mild Traumatic Brain Injury

Published on: November 19, 2012

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Pretend play ability in preschool-aged children with an acquired brain injury

Adrienne Thorne1, Karen Stagnitti2, Judi Parson2

  • 1Kids Rehab, Sydney Children's Hospital Network, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.

Australian Occupational Therapy Journal
|July 27, 2021
PubMed

Insights

Children with acquired brain injuries (ABI) exhibit significantly lower pretend play skills compared to neurotypical peers. Early assessment and intervention by occupational therapists are crucial for their developmental progress.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric rehabilitation
  • Developmental psychology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Acquired brain injury (ABI) can impact cognitive and social-emotional development in children.
  • Pretend play is crucial for developing imagination, social skills, and emotional regulation.
  • Limited research exists on pretend play abilities in preschool-aged children with ABI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare the self-initiated pretend play abilities of preschool-aged children with ABI to those of their neurotypical peers.
  • To identify specific areas of deficit in pretend play for children with ABI.

Main Methods:

  • A non-experimental group comparison design was used.
  • 22 neurotypical children and 21 children with ABI (preschool-aged) were assessed.
  • The Child-Initiated Pretend Play Assessment (ChIPPA) was administered individually.

Main Results:

  • Children with ABI demonstrated significantly lower scores in elaborate play actions (conventional and symbolic) and object substitution compared to neurotypical children.
  • Children with ABI also completed significantly less of the required play time.
  • No significant differences were found based on injury onset age or severity.

Conclusions:

  • Preschool-aged children with ABI have significantly impaired quality and quantity of pretend play compared to neurotypical peers.
  • Occupational therapists should assess and intervene in pretend play abilities during ABI rehabilitation.
  • Facilitating pretend play is essential for the developmental benefits it provides to children with ABI.
Abstract

Keywords:
brain injurypaediatric rehabilitationpreschool aged childrenpretend playsymbolic play

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