Presented by David Flack
AEE Northwest Regional Conference • March 27, 2010 • Bellingham, Washington, USA
Humans have an intrinsic need to play.
• Play helps expand self-expression, self-knowledge, and self-efficacy; relieve feelings of stress and boredom; stimulate creative thinking; regulate emotions.
• Play allows us to practice skills and life roles.
• Play is fun, and fun results in a sense of connection.
• For many clients, this sense of connection is missing. Play helps these individuals move from isolation toward connection.
Most developmental theories have some things in common.
• Each stage of development is tied to an age range, but not set in stone.
• Each stage of development includes a task that needs to be accomplished.
• Most were developed by white upper-middle class males.
• Erik Erickson’s model is probably least criticized of classic developmental theories.
Erickson’s Stages of Development
Infant-Trust v. Mistrust-Needs maximum comfort with minimal uncertainty to trust self, others & the environment.
Toddler-Autonomy v. Shame & Doubt-Works to master physical environment while maintaining self-esteem.
Preschooler-Initiative v. Guilt-Begins to initiate, no imitate, activities; develops conscience.
School-Aged-Industry v. Inferiority-Tries to develop a sense of self-worth by refining skills.
Adolescent-Identity v. Role Confusion-Tries integrating many roles into a self-image.
Young Adult-Intimacy v. Isolation-Learns to make personal commitment to another person.
Middle Adult-Generativity v. Stagnation-Seeks satisfaction through productivity in career, family, and community.
Older Adult-Integrity v. Despair-Reviews life accomplishments, deals with loss, & prepares for death.
What happens when a task isn’t successfully completed?
• Traditional thought is that the person becomes stuck in that stage.
• However, sociocultural and biological factors are likely to keep pushing the individual forward. Also, there is the possibility of partial completion of a task.
• The main reasons a task isn’t successfully completed are trauma, abuse, neglect, caregiver addiction, and an individual’s own substance use.
• With every push forward and partial completion of a task, the individual becomes increasingly less likely to successfully complete the next developmental stage.
• This can lead to an ever-growing developmental debt.
Developmental debt exhibits itself in maladaptive behaviors, various life problems, and disconnectedness. These problems become "hard wired" into the brain.
Brains are lazy.
• More accurately, brains are efficient.
• The brain uses 20% of all calories burned. In an effort to conserve some energy effort, the brain would rather do what it already knows how to do, even if the known behavior is maladaptive.
• Neuronal networks become strengthened with repeated use, which lead to habits of thought and behavior.
• Practicing new skills in a safe environment allows the brain to build new, more adaptive networks.
Intentional Regression
• Regression usually has negative connotations. However, the use of play and playfulness can be thought of as being intentionally regressive.
• In other words, we are helping our clients go backward in order to catch up.
• Foster intentional regression by creating an environment that nurtures play, playfulness, and connection.
