The Use of Analog and Digital Games for Autism Interventions

Game Changer: Exploring the Role of Board Games in the Lives of Autistic People

This mixed methods paper reports findings from three studies examining the overlap between autism and hobbyist board gaming. The first was a quantitative survey of over 1600 board gamers, showing that autistic individuals are overrepresented in this hobby compared to the general population and that autistic traits measured by the AQ are significantly elevated amongst board gamers. Study 1 also assessed gamers' motivations and preferences and reported key differences as well as similarities between autistic and non-autistic gamers. The second was a qualitative study that reported the results of 13 interviews with autistic individuals who are hobbyist board gamers. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA), four key themes were uncovered, including a preference for systemising, escapism and passions, the social lubrication effect of games and difficulties with deception. In the third, 28 autistic individuals were introduced to board games in groups of 5-10 over an afternoon. Subsequent focus groups were then analysed using IPA. This analysis uncovered themes around how board games are challenging but encouraged growth and how they were an alternative vehicle for forging social relationships. Through this paper, we discuss how and why board games may be a popular hobby amongst the autistic population, and its potential utility for improving autistic wellbeing.

Interpersonal Distance Theory of Autism and Its Implication for Cognitive Assessment, Therapy, and Daily Life

The interpersonal distance (IPD) theory provides a novel approach to studying autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In this article, we present recent findings on the neurobiological underpinnings of IPD regulation that are distinct in individuals with ASD. We also discuss the potential influence of environmental factors on IPD. We suggest that different IPD regulation may have implications for cognitive performance in experimental and diagnostic settings, may influence the effectiveness of training and therapy, and may play a role in the typical forms of social communication and leisure activities chosen by autistic individuals. We argue that reconsidering the results of ASD research through the lens of IPD would lead to a different interpretation of previous findings. Finally, we propose a methodological approach to study this phenomenon systematically.

Research on the design of somatosensory interactive games for autistic children based on art therapy

There is no targeted drug treatment for autistic children. Educational intervention and rehabilitation are the main ways to improve the ability development of autistic children. However, there are great differences in the individual symptoms and abilities. It is an urgent need for educators, practitioners and parents of autistic children to find effective ways to improve their cognitive, social and motor abilities. The author cooperates with the therapist to study and design the somatosensory interaction game for autistic children, which is a formal attempt of art therapy on the treatment tool, with the purpose of studying an effective and safe art intervention method. In order to verify the effect, the author recruited 26 children with mild or moderate autism for a six-week empirical evaluation, and the participants were randomly assigned. Among them, 13 participants participated in the art therapy of the proposed somatosensory game group (the experimental group), and 13 participants participated the traditional picture book group (the control group) that improved the emotion, cognition and skills of children, and the design style was more popular with children. The aesthetic design in the picture book could have an intervention effect on the participants, and its artistic effect could serve as an effective reference for the interface design of the game group. The results showed that the two groups had a significant impact on the participants in different aspects. The game group improved not only in terms of concentration and special ability, but also in terms of physical coordination and activity enhancement, it is inferred that the core factors of game therapy are sub-intervention, interaction and feedback, icon design and color matching system; the picture book group has significant improvement in interpersonal relationship guidance and language learning and communication. The results show that it is necessary to take more comprehensive and richer preliminary research on the development of treatment products for autistic children. Because picture book education requires children's initial concentration, it is found that picture book therapy has high requirements for teachers' classroom control and relatively strict requirements for picture book content, and play therapy can be a good complement to these problems.

Gamified Environments and Serious Games for Students With Autistic Spectrum Disorder: Review of Research

The aim of this study is to review the available research (N = 70) derived from the use of Gamified Environments and Serious Games with people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), identifying: authorship, nationality, publication period, topic, and design of the investigation. After that, the advantages and limitations observed are identified. Results indicate that most of them are focused on the design and testing of prototypes, (mostly) linked to the increase of social and emotional skills. The revision highlights that the game's mechanics and dynamics (feedback, rewards, missions, etc.) involve students from motivation. There is unanimous agreement to emphasize the positive impact of these resources to increment self-control, self-conscience, autonomy, and empathy.