"Go out and play and don't come home until supper."

It was only a few decades ago that most children in the U.S. heard these words almost daily. They were free to play outdoors for hours at a time. A network of mothers kept their ears open but only interfered when necessary. In contrast, an 8-year-old recently told me how she could ride her bike for several blocks on her own at the family's summer cabin, but less than a block at her home. "I have a lot more freedom at our cabin than at home," she said wistfully. Clearly, freedom was something she treasured.

This lack of freedom is accompanied by a serious absence of play in children's lives. Some added safety in childhood may have been gained—although even that is debatable, since today's children are growing up without developing the critically important ability to self-assess risk—but many vital aspects of childhood have been lost. Through free play, children learn to handle all kinds of social difficulties, making rules for their games and changing them as needed. There is abundant research about the gains from play in children's cognitive, social-emotional, and physical development. Only recently have play experts begun looking at the problems of play-deprivation, which can include low levels of creativity and poorly developed abilities for problem-solving, socializing, and communicating.

But even when play abounded for typically developing children, those with disabilities were often left out. They may have played quietly at home with siblings and parents, but they were rarely seen playing outdoors in neighborhoods or on playgrounds. Physical barriers created problems, but social obstacles were even greater.

Now we are faced with a new situation. During the past 20 years, the landscape of play for all children has changed in very disturbing ways. Today, one can drive through beautiful, safe neighborhoods and see very few children outside playing. Urban neighborhoods, where street games once abounded, are virtually devoid of children. Today, it is not only children with disabilities who are suffering from play deprivation; it is all children.

Fortunately, there is a growing movement to restore play, and it is essential that it include children with disabilities. They have as strong a need to play as all other children, and suffer equally when that need is suppressed and goes unmet.

The movement to restore play includes many individuals and organizations who are working together in partnerships on specific projects, in local coalitions, and in the U.S. Play Coalition, which holds regular conferences and sends out monthly newsletters. Fortunately, the media has grown very interested in play and many articles are appearing in major newspapers and magazines. There are also a growing number of books, short films, and documentaries that make the case for play. (See Appendix A.)

An important 2008 report by the American Academy of Pediatrics helped American parents take play seriously. It begins:

Play is so important to optimal child development that it has been recognized by the United Nations High Commission for Human Rights as a right of every child. This birthright is challenged by forces including child labor and exploitation practices, war and neighborhood violence, and the limited resources available to children living in poverty. However, even those children who are fortunate enough to have abundant available resources and who live in relative peace may not be receiving the full benefits of play. Many of these children are being raised in an increasingly hurried and pressured style that may limit the protective benefits they would gain from child-driven play. Because every child deserves the opportunity to develop to their unique potential, child advocates must consider all factors that interfere with optimal development and press for circumstances that allow each child to fully reap the advantages associated with play. (1) .