Unlocking closed doors to play

Recreation/play is of significance as a change agent in the lives of intellectually disabled persons, both as a facilitator of social integration and as a vital ingredient for personal development. However, when offered the opportunity for play experiences, some persons with intellectual disabilities may be reluctant to explore these due to the absence of sufficient and/or appropriate stimuli to excite them and motivate them to play. This paper considers mechanisms by which the motivation to play can be influenced. In particular, it represents an attempt to systematize and interpret what recreation workers with persons with intellectual disabilities may already be doing in an unplanned way to promote play with their clients. A taxonomy of playfulness (satisfactions derived from play) is outlined. followed by some discussion of its application to stimulating participation in recreational activities.

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