Gaming on the Autism Spectrum (ASD)

Read Time:4 Minute, 40 Second

People with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) find social interactions incredibly hard because of the developmental disability caused by the differences in the brain. They often tend to engage in repetitive or restricted patterns that are different from how other people behave. They also learn and respond differently to the world around them and often have a heightened sensitivity to most things, which can cause a sensory overload resulting in aggressive and sometimes violent behavior.

Table of Contents

People with autism tend to enjoy video games more than real life because of the way they’re built which doesn’t trigger anxiety and irritation. Bear with us as we explore why autistic people tend to like video games more and how these games help ease their day-to-day lives. Read on to know more.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)

Before we proceed, it’s important to clarify a few things. Did you know that no two autistic people are the same just like how two non-autistic people aren’t the same? ASD is a broad spectrum, which means it doesn’t have a scale on which one can quantify the condition. The autism experience is different for each individual and it’s important to be mindful of their needs when they’re around. The autism society estimates that the number of diagnosed autistic individuals makes up around 1% of the global population.

Social interactions

Additionally, autistic people aren’t comfortable interacting with other people because their emotional state is different from non-autistic people. They may not understand the different levels of friendship or refrain from saying something that’s socially inappropriate because they can’t tell the difference. This leads to them having confused thoughts and subsequently irritation, if the other person responds negatively.

Since autistic people interact with objects better than they do with people, they gravitate toward virtual simulations like a TV, a computer, or video games because of various benefits. One thing to keep in mind is that any irregular pattern or something not working properly can quickly cause irritation and visible frustration. For example, a slow internet connection can irritate an autistic person because of their heightened sensitivity to things around them.

What to do?

To ensure the best experience possible for an autistic person around you or at your home, make sure they aren’t around bright lights, noise, and things changing suddenly. Also, the internet is not a problem, thanks to the advanced tech we have available nowadays. You can upgrade to the likes of Cox Internet, which offers blazing fast speeds and unlimited data. Contact Cox customer service to learn more about availability and pricing.

Why is gaming so appealing to people with autism?

Autistic people tend to interact more with video games and objects instead of outdoor games and people.

Games offer a virtually stimulating environment

Autistic people often have one or more caretakers who continuously supervise them and help them as they follow their daily routines. This usually implies a few restrictions on what they can do because of their condition, which can make things boring for them. Games, on the other hand, offer a visually appealing and stimulating environment where you can complete missions or tasks to get rewards.

Games are more structured than real-life

Games are built to offer a controlled environment where the protagonist (the player) is the star of the show and everything revolves around them. Then, there is a story arc that the game follows as you progress to advanced levels. All of these things are quite different from how the real world works, as you cannot control people around you or how they interact with you.

Clear visuals and auditory clues

As opposed to real-world interactions where autistic people face difficulty understanding different speech patterns, games remove this limitation. Games offer clear visuals and auditory cues so the player can make appropriate decisions while playing the game.

Clearly-defined expectations and repetitive reinforcement

Autistic people tend to stick to routines because repetitive patterns come with a sense of familiarity and control as opposed to when they’re doing something for the first time. The game also rewards the player whenever they overcome an obstacle or complete the level, which incentivizes autistic people to keep playing. Unlike people, games don’t respond negatively to a person continuously doing something the wrong way. These games are sort of a safe space for autistic people, which is why they tend to enjoy video games much more than anything else.

Games offer socialization too

Most games come with an online mode nowadays where the player can socialize with other layers online. Unlike friends in real life who are privy to even the small details of your life, online friendships are relatively easier for most autistic people.

Games are more predictable than the real world

Unpredictable behavior is one of the hallmarks of a human being, which is what makes us achieve great things. However, this unpredictable behavior often irritates autistic people because understanding social cues like humor, sarcasm, and satire causes anxiety as they can’t discern between what was said and meant.

Conclusion

While gaming is popular with autistic people, continuously playing for long hours can result in detrimental effects on the player’s health. Admittedly, games offer a way for autistic people to enjoy life and develop better cognitive functions, but anything done to its extreme is likely to adversely affect at least some part of the player’s life. Parents and caretakers should encourage gaming but in moderation.