THE IMPORTANCE OF PLAY WITH CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DISORDER

Play is a fundamental developmental activity that profoundly shapes children's cognitive, social, emotional and neurological growth.For children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), play presents both unique challenges and significant therapeutic opportunities.This article synthesizes current evidence from peer-reviewed research on the nature of play deficits in children with ASD, the neurological underpinnings of play and the spectrum of evidence-based play interventions available to clinicians, educators and families.The article also examines how play affects brain structure, neurotransmitter function and neuroplasticity in children with ASD.To bridge theory and practice, the article incorporates qualitative practitioner perspectives gathered through semi-structured interviews conducted in 2026 with two specialists at Samra Center, a sensory-based child development center in Baku, Azerbaijan.Interview data were analyzed thematically and integrated with the empirical literature to provide applied clinical insight into how evidence-based approaches are implemented in a real-world context.The findings consistently demonstrate that purposeful, individualized and relationship-based play interventions can significantly improve social communication, joint attention, symbolic thinking, motor skills and overall developmental outcomes in children with ASD.The article concludes with recommendations for clinicians, educators and caregivers on designing and implementing effective play-based programs.