Games for Autistic Children

From LoveToKnow Autism

Games for autistic children can provide many educational benefits. There are a variety of single-player and multiple-player games that can improve important developmental and behavioral skills. If you are searching for creativeactivities for autistic children, consider games.

Benefits of Games for Autism

Children with autism may have trouble with developmental skills that affect social interaction, communication, movement or problem solving. Social skills activities can provide a way to improve these areas in a fun manner. Game play can improve the following areas:

  • Cognitive: Games can assist memory, problem-solving, deduction and planning skills. Mastermind, Clue, Memory and Master Labyrinth and the computer version of Pictionary are examples of games that help cognitive skills.
  • Language: Many games can improve vocabulary skills. Classic examples of language skill games are Scrabble and Boggle. The computer game, Reader Rabbit and Baby BumbleBee videos also help increase vocabulary.
  • Math: Children can practice counting, learn to recognize number and engage in math with game play. The games Rat-A-Tat-Cat, Uno and Chutes and Ladders and computer versions of Bingo are examples of games that improve math skills.
  • Social: Games with multiple players encourage social skills and communication skills. Children with autism who prefer isolation may be willing to work with others during a game activity. The preset rules also teach children how to share with others, take turns and win in a fair competition or loose without a tantrum. Other types of games help children understand how to relate to other people. For example, a computer game, FaceSay, helps children with autism better understand emotions and facial expressions.
  • Motor: A number of games provide opportunities to sharpen fine and gross motor skills such as hand and eye coordination, balance and the ability to thread a shoelace. Examples include Twister, stringing bead games and many Nintendo Wii sports games.
  • Sensory processing: Many children with autism has sensory processing issues. Some games help stimulate senses such as playing with water balloons, guessing objects by touch, singing games or playing Musical Chairs may improve sensory disorders by engaging different senses during game play.

Types of Games

Many types of games can help a child with autism improve social and behavioral skills. Games types include:

  • Board games: Children with autism may also enjoy many different types of board games ranging from Connect 4 to Chess. Many board games offer opportunities to improve language, problem-solving or math skills along with social interaction.
  • Computer and electronic games: Computer games can help children with autism in educational areas such as learning new vocabulary, practicing math skills or improving eye-hand coordination. Both educational computer games developed for autistic and non-autistic children are appropriate.
  • Singing and dancing games: Dvds of singing and dancing games can also provide an activity that a child with autism may enjoy alone or with a group. These types of games encourage improvements in social interaction as well as healthy movement and sensory processing. Some children's TV shows with dancing such as Yo Gabba Gabba also incorporate games with dancing.
  • Preschool interactive group games: Some young children with autism enjoy interactive games with nursery rhymes and coordinated movements such as The Itsy Bitsy Spider or Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star.

Suggested Games for Autistic Children

Children with autism can play a large variety of board games and computer games. Many suitable games come in both board game and computer versions. Suitable games for autistic children include:

Some preschool games are good for social, motor and sensory skills. Preschool group games that children with autism may enjoy include:

  • Simon Says
  • Red Light, Green Light
  • Musical Chairs

Choosing the Right Games for Your Child

When you are selecting a game, consider your child's individual interests. Some children with autism have very specialized interests and will respond best to games on that subject. You should also think about what type of skills need improvement and look for games that will address those issues. If you are unsure about what types of games are appropriate, ask your child's therapist and teachers for hands on projects for autistic students.

Additional Autism Game Resources

The Internet has game resources for children with autism. You can find safe and appropriate online games and game information at the following websites:

  • Autism Games: This site has videos and articles with information on games for people with autism.
  • ZAC Browser: The ZAC browser is a browser system for children with autism to help them safely navigate the Internet for websites of interest.
  • Children Succeed: Children Succeed offers three games developed for children with autism.
  • Special Needs Toys and Sensory Solutions: The site sells games and toys suitable for children with autism.
  • Autism Inspiration: A subscription-based autism resource site that has online games and game information.
  • Board Game Geek: The Board Game Geek site and forum has information on classic and new board games.

Conclusion

Games for autistic children offer an opportunity to teach valuable life skills. The creative teaching process of game play offers hope to reach autistic children who are reluctant to socialize. Games present a way for children with autism to socialize, including playing with non-autistic children. Parents will also find that games are a fun way to connect with their children.

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