There has been a decline in the use of bop bags in play therapy. The concern is that bop bags simply provide an opportunity to rehearse aggression, and serve to support further aggressive behavior. I have discontinued the use of bop bags in my play sessions due to the kinds of responses that I would get from clients. They would wildly attack the bop bag and seemed to perseverate on that kind of behavior week after week. I treat a large number of neurologically impaired children (bipolar, Asperger’s, PDD) who are also impulsively aggressive, and seem poorly motivated by the consequences of their behavior. The focus in therapy has turned to restraining anger, restraining expressions of aggression, and controlling behavior, rather than venting and cathecting. However, I have not eliminated all aggression toys. I still have guns, including dart guns. It appears that these toys do not elicit as out-of -control behaviors as the bop bag. When these neurologically impaired children used the bop bag, it appeared to be impulsive and out-of-control aggression, as opposed to symbolic or purposeful play. I would be interested in hearing what other providers are experiencing and how they are using aggression toys.
