New Play Area Stimulates Communication in Children With Autistic Spectrum Condition

The new creative play area recently installed at Treetops School in Grays, Essex has been a godsend to the verbal behaviour programmes the school uses for children on the autistic spectrum.Treetops is a specialist school for children and young people up to 19 who experience moderate learning difficulties. The school operates a special verbal behaviour (VB) provision for children with autistic spectrum condition (ASC) and is the first state school in the UK to adopt these teaching principles. Active play stimulates communication, and is a key part of the successful VB programme. The move to new premises this year was an ideal opportunity to install a safe and secure play area which the children could use as an integral part of their school day.New play equipment should have been installed in preparation for the move, but the school was let down by the original supplier. Monster Play Systems were then invited to quote, and after taking the brief, they turned the whole project around very rapidly. Commented headteacher Paul Smith, “We knew we wanted equipment that was creative and would stimulate the children. Monster Play called on their experience and not only pulled out all the stops to install the equipment quickly, but added vision to the whole project. Their fresh, innovative ideas meant the final play scheme was even better than we had originally planned.”In addition to multi-activity, socially-focused structures such as the Escapade, Cabana and Playhouse units to help develop communication skills, Monster Play incorporated interactive pieces like the Turnacross. This unusual play unit stimulates cooperation and helps develop social skills as well as improving physical fitness.Added Smith, “You only have to look at their faces to see how much the nursery children absolutely love their new equipment. However, the older children were quite envious, and asked if they could have a fun play area as well. As it has been so well received, we are now in the process of installing a range of equipment for their benefit. It just confirms how important play is for learning and development in these children.”e n d sEditor’s NotesHigh resolution photographs available on requestMore about Monster Play Systems LtdMonster Play Systems is one of the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative provider of children’s play equipment, youth shelters, skate parks and ball courts. The innovative ‘BigToys’ range introduced in 2005, is made utilising recycled steel and plastics, and gives BigToys one of the highest percentages of recycled content available in play equipment today. Their modern YS range of youth shelters are designed to withstand heavy use, are vandal resistant and have solar powered lighting, Bluetooth connectivity and radio as optional extras.The company has steadily built up a reputation not only for quality products but also for the highest levels of customer service. This philosophy together with the challenge to provide a safe, positive play experience that is also fun, exciting and developmentally appropriate has resulted in Monster Play Systems becoming the UK’s fastest growing and most innovative provider of children’s play equipment.More about BigToys Inc.Founded in 1970, BigToys® (www.bigtoys.com) is a pioneering manufacturer of environmentally friendly commercial playground equipment. BigToys leads the playground industry in removing PVC from its products in support of children’s health and environmental protection. BigToys is based in Olympia, Washington