When we play, we learn, which is why games for autistic children are an excellent addition to traditional autism therapy—especially when it comes to the development of social skills.

For many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), games offer an effective method of instruction for working on social behaviors and cues. And often, the games themselves are an opportunity to practice socialization, with a wide array of board games, online games, and other fun activities that children with ASD can engage in with friends, family members, and caregivers.

Here's why games are so important for children on the autism spectrum, plus five of the best games for autistic children to play as they work on their social skills.

Social Skills & Board Games: Autism Interventions Made More Effective Through Play

Neurotypical or not, there is no denying the powerful effect that play can have on a developing brain.

Games, especially cooperative ones, require children to hone their skills related to things like communication, emotional regulation, and sportsmanship, as well as to work on general behaviors in group settings.1 In this way, play allows children with ASD to learn outside of the confines of conventional instruction, providing them with tools and takeaways that they can apply at home, at school, and out in the community.

There’s another benefit of gameplay for children with autism, which is that it gives them confidence to engage with others in their age group. This alone is a crucial benefit, since children on the spectrum may be overly reliant on adult assistance and thus less sure about how to connect with their peers.2

5 Autism Games for Social Skills

As part of our caregiver training, we always encourage parents and other care providers to incorporate games into their day as a way to help children with autism improve their social skills. Here are some of the best ones to start with:

1. Chutes and Ladders

This classic board game is easy to learn and fun to play, and even young children can usually pick up on the basics pretty quickly. With a roll of the dice, children will be able to either advance toward the finish line or get sent back toward the starting point, in turn learning to manage both sportsmanship and disappointment in front of other people.

2. Follow the Leader

Gather players in a line, with the child at the front acting as “leader” and everyone else having to mimic their movements, sounds, and actions. Along the way, children work on taking turns and following directions, and they also get more comfortable being the center of attention.

3. Minecraft

While the world of Minecraft may exist on a screen, the social skills it can help develop are all very real.3 The digital realm of this highly popular kids’ game is filled with opportunities for communication and engagement. It also helps with the development of other essential skills like how to learn from mistakes and how to safely set out and explore.

4. Roll the Ball

Sit in a circle and take turns rolling the ball to others in the group. This game is surprisingly useful for something so simple, and it offers kids a chance to participate in a stress-free group activity that encourages cooperation and requires that they pay attention to what others around them are doing. To add another beneficial layer to it, have players call out the name of the person they are passing to before they roll the ball in their direction.

5. Scavenger Hunts

Set up a scavenger hunt and have kids work in groups of two or more to find all of the items on the list. They’ll get to work on collaborating toward a common goal, and they’ll also have to manage decision-making in a group setting and how to both give and follow directions as they seek out whatever it is they’re looking for.

There are always good reasons to introduce more fun into a child’s day. Contact us for more caregiver advice, as well as to learn more about our behavioral health center and evidence-based therapies for children with autism. We offer treatment both in-person and remotely, and are available to work with your family on all of the skills that your child needs to thrive.

Sources:

The Best Games for Autistic Children Working on Social Skills