Symbolic play in autistic, Down's, and normal children of equivalent mental age

The study assessed free play and response to modeled symbolic play with animate toys and realistic and substitute accessories in 10 autistic children and 10 Down's syndrome and 10 normal preschooler controls. Groups were matched on Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test mental age (PPVT MA) range and Mdn (2.5 years). Autistic children played less than controls, imitated less well, and, on structured baseline trials, showed lower level play. Symbolic fluency differentiated all groups in structured play. Symbolic fluency for free and structured play was positively correlated with PPVT MA in autistic children; level of play was most highly correlated with PPVT MA in normal children. Findings suggested impaired imitative capacity and symbolic functioning in autism.