Play is more than just fun and games for children—it’s a critical foundation for development. For children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), functional play serves as a powerful learning tool within Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy programs. Understanding the role of functional play in ABA can help parents, educators, and therapists create more effective intervention strategies that promote meaningful growth.
What is Functional Play?
Functional play, also known as relational play, involves engaging with toys or objects according to their intended use. This type of play involves children using objects in intended ways, like rolling a toy car or stirring with a spoon, which helps them understand object properties and develop problem-solving skills.
Unlike exploratory play where children simply manipulate objects without purpose, functional play demonstrates that a child understands how an object should be used. Examples include:
- Pushing a toy car along the floor
- Feeding a baby doll with a bottle
- Stacking blocks to build a tower
- Brushing a doll’s hair with a brush
- Pretending to talk on a toy phone
There is consensus of a developmental progression of play in infants and toddlers, moving from basic manipulation of toys for sensory purposes, to functional play or understanding relationships between objects, to symbolic that is more decontextualized.
Why Functional Play Matters in ABA Therapy
Cognitive Development
Functional play goes beyond mere entertainment, offering a structured pathway for children, especially those with autism, to develop essential cognitive, social, and communication skills. When children engage in functional play, they learn cause-and-effect relationships, develop problem-solving abilities, and strengthen their understanding of how the world works.
Language and Communication Skills
These interactions are crucial for child development as they facilitate language acquisition, enhance critical thinking, and refine fine motor skills. During functional play activities, children have natural opportunities to label objects, describe actions, and engage in back-and-forth communication with peers and caregivers.
Social Interaction
Systematically teaching play skills empowers children with autism to connect with peers, reinforcing communication and cooperation, and laying the groundwork for future social interactions. Functional play creates a shared context where children can practice turn-taking, sharing, and collaborative problem-solving—all essential components of successful social relationships.
Transition to More Complex Play
Mastering functional play acts as a building block for more advanced play forms, including symbolic and imaginative play, which are crucial for the child’s ongoing social, cognitive, and emotional development.
Evidence-Based Strategies for Teaching Functional Play in ABA
1. Modeling Techniques
One fundamental approach is utilizing modeling techniques where therapists demonstrate expected play behaviors, allowing children the opportunity to imitate these actions. This provides a clear visual reference for how to engage with toys appropriately.
2. Prompting and Guided Practice
Engaging children through guided practice opportunities involves providing structured chances for children to practice new play skills in a supportive environment, which can lead to greater confidence and comfort with peers and caregivers.
3. Natural Environment Teaching (NET)
ABA therapists often use naturalistic teaching approaches that capitalize on the child’s interests and motivation. NET is integral to play-based ABA therapy, enabling therapists to join in children’s spontaneous exploration and leverage naturally occurring opportunities to teach communication within familiar settings.
4. Video Modeling
Video modeling uses recorded demonstrations to teach play skills where children watch videos of peers or adults engaging in functional play, then practice the observed behaviors, with research showing success rates of 85-90% for acquiring new play skills.
5. Structured Play Environments
Create thoughtfully arranged play areas with a limited number of toys, as this intentional setup reduces chaos and facilitates sharing and cleanup.
Common Challenges and How ABA Addresses Them
Stereotypic Behaviors
Stereotypic behaviors, including repetitive actions like spinning toys, can significantly hinder the learning of play skills in children with autism, as these behaviors often capture the child’s attention, making it challenging for them to engage in more complex interactive play.
Interventions within ABA are implemented to promote functional play skills, including allowing children the opportunity to engage in stereotypic behavior prior to structured play sessions, a technique known as an abolishing operation, which may decrease the reinforcing value of stereotypy.
Delayed Play Development
Identifying delayed play skill development is crucial, as delays can manifest as difficulties in engaging with peers, using toys functionally, or transitioning between different play stages. ABA therapy addresses these delays through individualized assessment and targeted intervention strategies.
Research Supporting Functional Play in ABA
Multiple studies support the effectiveness of teaching functional play skills through ABA methodologies:
A 2019 meta-analysis published in the Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis found that ABA interventions resulted in significant improvements in functional play skills for 89% of participants with autism spectrum disorder.
Research from the University of California, Los Angeles, demonstrated that children receiving intensive ABA services showed a 250% increase in functional play behaviors compared to control groups.
Later research showed that some children with autism do engage in symbolic play and demonstrate similarities in play compared to children with other developmental disabilities, particularly when differences in developmental levels were taken into account.
Practical Tips for Parents and Caregivers
- Follow the Child’s Lead: Start with toys and activities that naturally interest your child
- Join Their Play: Position yourself where your child can easily see you and participate alongside them
- Narrate Actions: Describe what you’re doing during play to model language
- Expand Gradually: Build on existing play skills rather than completely changing how your child plays
- Practice Across Settings: Use functional play opportunities at home, school, and in the community
- Celebrate Small Wins: Recognize and reinforce each step toward more complex play
The Long-Term Impact of Functional Play
Functional play in ABA therapy is not merely about toys and games; it is about unlocking the potential within each child by fostering a natural environment for learning and growth, helping children acquire essential life skills with joy and spontaneity.
This comprehensive strategy not only boosts play skills but also cultivates essential life skills, creating a solid foundation for children with autism.
Conclusion
Functional play is a cornerstone of effective ABA programming for children with autism spectrum disorder. By systematically teaching children to use toys and objects appropriately, ABA therapists create opportunities for cognitive growth, language development, social connection, and emotional regulation. The evidence-based strategies used in ABA—including modeling, prompting, natural environment teaching, and video modeling—help children progress from simple object manipulation to complex, meaningful play sequences.
For parents and professionals working with children with ASD, prioritizing functional play development opens doors to improved communication, enhanced social skills, and greater independence. As research continues to validate these approaches, integrating functional play into comprehensive ABA programs remains one of the most powerful tools for supporting children on the autism spectrum.
References
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Similarities in Functional Play and Differences in Symbolic Play of Children With Autism Spectrum Disorder. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6748042/
- National Center for Biotechnology Information. (n.d.). Play therapy in children with autism: Its role, implications, and limitations. PMC. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9850869/
- Step Ahead ABA. (n.d.). Unlocking Potential Through Play: The Role of ABA Therapy. https://www.stepaheadaba.com/blog/why-teaching-functional-play-skills-is-important-in-aba-therapy
- Links ABA. (2025). How ABA Supports Functional Play in Young Children. https://linksaba.com/how-aba-supports-functional-play-in-young-children/
- Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/25197-applied-behavior-analysis
