Have you ever had an experience with an autistic student where you want them to feel as comfortable as possible but do not know how to? Have you had the urge to connect with them, but you are unsure of the best ways? Living with autism is particularly challenging. Autistic people need to feel a sense of comfort and belonging in every possible way.
What is autism?
Autism is a development disorder that impacts the nervous system causing impairments in communication and social interaction. Other common symptoms of autism may also include obsessive interests and repetitive behaviors.
One way of connecting with autistic students is through video games. Video games provide kids affected by autism with an opportunity for joint attention and shared interests with their peers. What better way there to socialize than through video games?
People with autism are particularly attracted to video games. This is because of the visual nature of the screen-based technology, the structure, and immediate feedback. Research shows that video games improve a range of skills for autistic kids, such as balance, attention, and gaze control. The games also assist inflexible thinking and allow kids flexibility in making mistakes. They also assist in recognizing the importance of practice to improve skills and interests. As a result, many parents and educators have begun to use apps and games, especially for autistic kids, to teach social, communication, and life skills. Below are a few games for autistic students.
1. Minecraft.
Minecraft, the best-selling video game of all time, is a sandbox game developed by Mojang. In Minecraft, players explore the blocky, procedurally generated 3D with the infinite terrain and extract raw materials, items, building structures, and earthwork. Players can fight computer-controlled mobs and cooperate with or compete against the players in the same world. Its game modes include survival mode, hardcore, creative, spectator, and adventure mode. The game can be modified to create new gameplay mechanics, assets, and items.
In Minecraft, players are free to do whatever they want. The game provides a vast natural environment where you can build castles, dig mines, or even plant seeds. A particular parent tried to introduce Minecraft to his son, and he reveals that although it was difficult for his son to express himself in real life, all the tools and systems made sense in Minecraft.
2. Let’s face it.
Games designed for people in the spectrum may hold other benefits such as mastery and exploration. ’Let’s face it’ was one of the first games for autism to show improvement in a randomized controlled trial.
‘Let’s face it’ is a joint project between the University of Victoria Brain, Cognition Lab, and the Yale Child Study Center. The program is designed to teach face processing skills to kids with autism.
The game aims to develop an effective treatment that will enhance children’s face processing skills with autism. The game comprises a series of modules. Each module targets some aspects, for example, and recognition of facial emotions, interpretation of eye gaze and eye contact, and changes in facial expressions.
3. Roblox
One interesting fact about Roblox is that it is not a single game; it is a collection of about 50 games created by its community of players. Social features are also critical to its appeal, including adding friends and chatting with them.
The beauty of Roblox is that it allows you to create your own game and find friends to play with. For many kids, creating a simple game and hanging out with their friends is their main ambition. However, other kids would want to top a notch and make the game more challenging, creating more extensive and complex games. One may even earn from the competition by taking a cut of in-game purchases using Roblox’s virtual currency, Roblox.
Roblox creates a platform where autistic kids interact and have friends, boosting their social life.
4. World of Warcraft.
DesMephisto, a popular streamer, and Mental Health Advocate is an example of a World of Warcraft fan. Most people with autism are diagnosed at a younger age, but for DesMephisto, the diagnosis occurred later. He used this game to spread awareness of autism. DesMephisto is also a world record holder for leveling a character on the game from 20 to 120.
World of Warcraft is a multiplayer online game released by Blizzard Entertainment. The game allows the players to create a character avatar and examine the game world in a third- or first-person view. The player can explore landscapes, fight various monsters, complete quests and play with non-player characters. The game allows teamwork in completing quests, entering dungeons, and fighting player versus player combat. However, the game can also be played solo.
5. Super Mario Maker.
Super Mario Maker is a game that allows its players to create their levels from the Super Mario Series and then publish those courses online for other players to experience. Players can manipulate some elements in various ways. For example, they can stack up enemies, have hazards come out of question blocks and warp pipes, use shells as helmets and make cannons emit any chosen objects. Once the user reaches the end of their newly created course, they can publish the Online Course World course. There, all players can browse and play various user-generated techniques.
Video games develop a lot of skills and profoundly help in the growth of autistic kids. When a child develops a form of expertise in a game, it can become their source of pride. These games are popular and increase the level of strategic thinking, and elevating their character development.
For kids with autism to get the most out of their gameplay, professionals, parents, and educators are encouraged to be directly involved, sit and observe the kids.
As an academic essay writer, Lauren Bradshaw from CustomWritings essay company stated, “Autism has taught me love needs no words.” This has changed the way society relates to people with autism.
Even if you are not interested in the game, learn to ask questions concerning their activities. Help them answer your questions in a way that considers you are not well versed in the game. Encouraging them to do particular tasks in the game showcases their efforts and achievements too.