Abstract
The Play Cycle Observation Method (PCOM) enables researchers to observe and record the process of play based on the theory of the Play Cycle. While the PCOM has been used with both video footage and in real-time observation of neurotypical children, it has not previously been applied with neurodivergent children. This study involved ten one-hour naturalistic PCOM observations with nine autistic children during play sessions. The results demonstrated variability in play processes, with several styles of play behaviour observed, including differences in how play was initiated, sustained, and terminated. The findings both corroborate and challenge strands of the existing literature on autistic play, contributing to the development of practice-informed, real-world applications, supporting play interaction for autistic children.
Recommended Citation
Mugford, E. C., & King, P. (2026). Exploring autistic children’s play cycles using the Play Cycle Observation Method (PCOM). International Journal of Playwork Practice, 6(1), Article 1. Retrieved from https://scholarworks.bgsu.edu/ijpp/vol6/iss1/3
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