Guest Post: An Introduction to Gaming (For Parents and Carers of Autistic Children and Teens)

Photo by Sigmund on Unsplash

This post was written for Autism Guernsey by Laura Simpson, Guernsey’s Digital Safety Development Officer.

Did you know that the gaming industry is worth nearly five times that of the film industry? It is bigger than film, music and streaming industries combined at an estimated value just shy of $300 billion. It’s no wonder really, as gaming has exploded in the last ten years, providing a range of immersive entertainment unlike any other field. And there is something for everyone, of all ages, genders, interests and neurotypes.

But why do autistic and other ND folk often love gaming so much?

There are lots of reasons why gaming is so attractive to autistic people of all ages, but let’s focus on a few:

Predictability: The rules not only of playing the game, but also of the way we can interact with each other and the environment are rigid. Even if I desperately wish it didn’t happen, you will always plummet off the track’s edge in MarioKart! We know where we can and can’t go, how we can and can’t move and what we need to do to be successful (if only life were that straightforward!).

Sensory feedback: Whether you’re enjoying a cozy game of Animal Crossing, earning points on CandyCrush or defeating the enemy in Call of Duty, all players will experience different types of sensory feedback through light, colour, movement, sound and in an increasing number of games, haptic feedback (vibrations through game controllers—like when you get a message on your phone). For those autistic folk who are sensory seeking, this can provide a reliable, safe and enjoyable way of gaining this much needed input.

Rehearsal and repetition: If you’re someone who practices conversations before you have them, or wish you had the opportunity to have another go at something which didn’t give you the desired outcome, then you will understand why this element of gaming is so appealing. If you fail, you can have another go, practice and up-skill until you succeed.

What do parents and carers of autistic gamers need to think about?

Recognise it’s a valid activity

Firstly, gaming is a valid activity which is giving your child the opportunity to develop problem solving, creativity, resilience, communication, logic and tactical skills as well as providing much needed relaxation and fun.

Sometimes, gaming needs a bit of reframing though: if your child was an avid piano player, and was spending five or six hours a day practicing their instrument, attending rehearsals and performing would you see this as an unhealthy, worrying or time-wasting endeavour? Many gamers put many hours into honing their skills, just as dedicated musicians, artists or sportspeople do.

Take an active interest (even if it bores you silly!)

Taking an active interest in your child’s gaming will not only give you more of an insight into why it is important to them but also give you more opportunities to engage positively over something which many parents view as problematic.

From my own experiences, I have the most precious memories of being taught to play Sackboy by my “neurospicy” nephew. He was so animated and excited to share it with me, and we talked more in that hour than he would normally say to anyone. (I also have excellent memories of my mum playing Street Fighter with my older nephew and nieces: pure comedy gold!).

On a more practical level, understanding the ins and outs of your child’s games will help you to make sure appropriate safeguards are in place, and support them more effectively in the event of any difficulties.

We know that transition times (moving from one activity to another) can be particularly challenging for autistic folk, and this is true of gaming too. Knowing, for instance, that the average Fortnite Battle Royale will last a maximum of 20 minutes (or shorter if they get “killed” earlier on) can really help with planning and supporting transitioning activities.

Understand not all screentime is created equally

There have been a lot of shocking headlines over the last decade or so about the detrimental effect that screentime has on children. And while any type of screentime can be developmentally damaging to the Under 5s (according to the World Health Organization), not all screentime is created equally.

One approach which gives parents back the power is to treat screen-based activities exactly the same as other activities. Rather than using gaming as a reward for “good” behaviour, consider including it as one of a balanced range of activities, so that the anxious feelings which may arise when a favoured activity is denied can be lessened.

Use parental controls

Make use of all parental controls which are available on all devices and games. I always recommend that this is done with the gamer, so parents can explain why the controls are needed and what they help to protect the gamer from. Make sure that access to parental controls is pin protected, so gamers can’t access them to make changes themselves!

For more information, check out Neurodivergent children gaming online safely | Internet Matters.