Gaming with Autism

Screen-based technologies show promise for autism intervention—but research is still needed to evaluate both the benefits and the possible negative effects.

Written byMicah Mazurek

| 3 min read

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Over the past several decades, the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the United States has increased at an alarming pace, with current prevalence estimates at 1 in 88 children. Because there is not yet anything close to a universal treatment for ASD, there is an urgent need to develop therapies to address the disorder’s core symptoms, including communication difficulties, social impairment, and repetitive behavior. One possible approach, recently discussed by several leading autism scientists, is the use of video games and other “screen-based” technologies (Games for Health, 1: 248-53, 2012). By providing controlled and interactive environments for children with ASD, screen-based tools show promise for improving social communication skills and reducing repetitive behavior.

Because individuals with ASD are often drawn ...

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