Examining the Role of Language in Play Among Children With and Without Developmental Disabilities.

Purpose Play is a critical aspect of children's development, and researchers have long argued that symbolic deficits in play may be diagnostic of developmental disabilities. This study examined whether deficits in play emerge as a function of developmental disabilities and whether our perceptions of play are colored by differences in language and behavioral presentations. Method Ninety-three children participated in this study (typically developing [TD]; = 23, developmental language disorders [DLD]; = 24, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder [ADHD]; = 26, and autism spectrum disorder [ASD]; = 20).