Eduvest – Journal of Universal Studies
Volume 2, Number 9 , September, 2022
The Effectiveness of the Combination of Play Therapy and Speech Therapy on
the Behavioral Development of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
objects; social interaction disorders include 1) reluctance to interact (mismatched
eye contact, facial expressions, postures, and gestures, 2) difficulty interacting
with others or peer play, 3) lack of empathy, behavior is for interest or pleasure, 4)
lack of reciprocal social and emotional interactions (Fadlillah, 2019).
Globally, between 1.8 and 200 million children under the age of five are
stunted each year, 86 percent of them in developing countries such as India,
compared with just 8 percent in advanced economies. Meanwhile, data from
developed countries show that 10% to 15% of children under the age of 5 are
reported to be stunted, and 1% to 3% of children under the age of 5 are stunted
globally. (Fernando, 2021). Other data show that approximately 16% of children
(infants) under the age of 5 in Indonesia have mild to severe neurological and
brain developmental disorders, 2 in 1,000 infants have motor development
disorders, and 1 in 100 1 with low intelligence and language delay (Solama &
Hipson, 2021).
National data from the Ministry of Health of Indonesia as many as 11.5 %
of children under five in Indonesia have growth and development disorders.
Survey data from the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) shows about 5
to 10% of children experience development that is not in accordance with age, so
it is necessary to carry out an early assessment of the development of toddlers
(Iskandar & Indaryani, 2020). In Palembang City, of the 85 toddlers who attend
kindergarten , 36.5% of toddlers experience abnormal growth and development
(with special needs) (Purwasih, 2020).
One of the children with special needs is a child with autism spectrum
disorder. The disorder causes children to be limited in communication, social
interaction, and behavior. Therefore, it is necessary to address this issue in the
individual planning and special education of parents of children with autism
(Ismet, 2019). In contrast, autism in children is a pervasive developmental
disorder that affects social interaction, communication, and behavior and is
observed before age 3. Universal meaning means that the disease affects a person
very widely, intensely and deeply. People with autism have different symptoms,
hence the term GSA (autism spectrum disorder) for people with autism has
emerged in recent years (Purwasih, 2020).
To avoid delays, Verbal Behavioural Intervention (VB), also known as a
form of treatment for children with autism spectrum disorder, was administered.
Verbal behavior interventions are related to applied behavior analysis, by asking
children to learn language through words that correspond to what they want to
convey (Kalalo & Yuniar, 2019). Then, for growth and developmental disorders,
especially the development of cognitive knowledge, communication skills and
social interaction, the researchers chose role-playing therapy, which uses game
mode as an effective medium for exploring freedom and self-expression,
developing cognitive knowledge, and communicating. skills and social
interaction. Play allows kids to be creative and adapt to stressors (Mahdalena,
Shodiq, & Dewantoro, 2020). Children can also adapt to their environment, play
objects, time and space. Types of games that can be used for children with autism
include puzzles, flashcards, role-playing games, and more (SITI, 2021).
In the study, researchers used a combined treatment regimen, speech
therapy and occupational therapy, to train children with special needs to perform
daily activities. I hope that children in the future will be more independent and