"Dude, Your Glowstone Is in My Way": Social Intervention for Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Minecraft

• In Event: Special Education Research: Special Populations

Abstract

Play-based naturalistic programs can be effective ways to develop social competence because youth with ASD can learn and practice social skills while playing highly-motivating games. With instruction from adults and a typically developing peer, four adolescents with ASD (ages 10-14) participated in structured and unstructured video game play (MINECRAFT™). The rates of initiations during structured were significantly higher than free play, but by the end of the sessions, the rates of initiations during free play matched the rates during structured play. Analysis of the transcripts suggests that participating in social play, even in video games, may improve social competence. The findings of this study have implications for play-based interventions and the use of virtual environments.

Authors

• Jeffrey W. H. MacCormack, Queen's University - Kingston

• Jamie MacCormack