The Effectiveness of Play with the feeling words on Reducing Alexithymia in Students with Learning Disability

• Main Authors: akram abbariki, bita shalani
• Format: Article
• Language: fas
• Published: Allameh Tabataba'i University Press 2017-01-01
• Series: Ravānshināsī-i Afrād-i Istis̠nāyī
• Subjects: alexithymia; Learning disabilities; Play with feeling words; students
• Online Access: http://jpe.atu.ac.ir/article_7535_848c6289a13ea63c53b5354d846ad439.pdf

Specific learning disability is a neurodevelopmental disorder. Students with this disability, in addition to academic problems, have high levels of socio-emotional problems. The aim of this study was the effectiveness of play with feeling words on reducing alexithymia in students with learning disabilities. This study is quasi-experimental with pre-post test. The population included all students second to six grade with learning disabilities in Kermanshah that 24 student selected and randomly assigned in two experimental and control groups. The research instrument was Toronto Alexithymia Scale. The experimental group plays feeling words eight sessions 30-minute and twice a week. Covariance analysis indicated that play therapy with feeling words caused reduction in children's alexithymia (P<0/001). Results of this study showed that play therapy with feeling words can be used as a convenient way to help students with learning disorders to reduce their alexithymia. This type of play therapy with symbolic expression of feelings increases ability to express of negative emotions such as anxiety and led to the adaptation.