ABSTRACT
Play assessment of children with prenatal cocaine exposure is discussed in terms of
the developmental play level and behaviors manifest during spontaneous play and the
clinical implications for assessing such children. Studies have found a number of
subtle differences in the play skills of children with prenatal cocaine exposure compared
to children with no cocaine exposure, however, sensitive outcome measures are needed
to capture these subtle developmental differences. Suggestions for assessing play,
an early developmental skill, using multidimensional play analyses that incorporate
developmental play levels and associated play behaviors, such as initiation and per-severation
are discussed.
KEY WORDS
cocaine exposure - symbolic play - exploratory play
