For children on the autistic spectrum and those with a specific communication disorder the social and emotional impairment demonstrates itself in, amongst other ways, a difficulty in learning to play and a resulting isolation from peers and their imaginative and physical world. The authors explain the function and development of play for children who develop the skills normally. Their analysis has provided a sound theoretical basis for the practical teaching programme which promotes the development and opportunity to practise the elements: " social skills and social understanding, " imagination, " rehearsal, " flexibility and change, " exploration. The sections of the book cover: 1. Tabletop Identiplay - instructions on how to set up this positive and practical play intervention based on the work of Beyer and Gammeltoft 2. Identiplay kits and play scripts - a resource bank of copiable pages clearly listing ideas for Identiplay kits and possible play scripts to use with each set. 3. Beyond Identiplay - ways of adapting Identiplay to further extend play skills, moving away from the original format of a table-top activity, and applying the principles in a wider range of activities, such as role play, the development of leisure activities, water play, and outdoor games. A CD-ROM is included containing the photographs, video clips and scripts to allow printing of all the materials.