We just got the Wii Fit for Christmas. Wii, for those who don't know, is a video game system that allows the user to physically interact with games -- actually "bowling," "golfing," etc. Wii Fit is a set of games and interactives designed to help you build cardio, strength, agility and balance. It's not high-end fitness equipment, but it's fun.
When the Wii Fit was under the Christmas tree, the label said "for mom," but of course it's really for the whole family. Anyway... long story short...
Our son Tom (age 13, high functioning autistic) who NEVER wants to play games with ANYone, has gotten seriously into this game. He's just loves the obstacle course (think real-world Donkey Kong) - and is ready and willing to play against all comers.
Here's the thing I'm realizing: this game (like most video games) is challenging Tom to use skills like logic (remembering the sequence of putting in the DVD, setting the right channel, clicking the right buttons, etc.); planning (I have to remember that the big ball will bonk me if I'm not ready to jump out of the way in three seconds); agility (physically dashing, jumping, ducking, etc.); and sharing. I may be nuts, but I think I'm seeing some improvements in his ability to preplan and think for himself since we bought this game!
Has anyone else had positive experiences with Wii Fit or other "obstacle course" style video games? Do you think I'm just wishing and hoping, or is it possible that a video game is teaching my son with autism new skills - and opening new doors to social interaction??
Our 5 yr old son has just has been watching us for a few months now, and always got real excited when we played but never wanted to play himself, until last month for his 5th birthday we had a bowling party, and he was so excited to go bowling, so we showed him Wii bowling, that night he figured how to use all the functions of the Wii system, (cause he wanted to)and plays Wii fit daily..he absolutly loves it..now he plays with us….
I have a four year old boy. We too got a wii for christmas and he looks forward to playing baseball, bowling, tennis and golf. He actually got one homerun, and one hole-in-one. I too feel there is something behind this video game system that is benefiting our little guy.
My feelings about the Wii are very mixed. We got one from my mother in law for Christmas and like with the computer games, all it does is create high levels of stress for both of my kids, but especially my autistic son who is 7.5.
He gets to into it, takes every failure literally and ultimately winds up curled up in a sobbing heap or worse, acting out.
I think that for some autistic kids there might be benefits to the ‘hands on’ problem solving that a system like the Wii provides, but for now, I’m seriously considering packing ours away until our kids are older and better able to handle it.
On a more positive note, while I am not diagnosed on the spectrum, I had some serious issues with socialization and a huge gap between my intellectual intellegence and socio-emotional intelligence as a child and young teen and I feel that using a virtual environment went a long way towards helping me to ‘practice’ those types of skills in a ’safe’ space through playing online roleplaying games in that environment.
There are goals to aim for, puzzles to solve but because that environment was all text based it didn’t have the overwhelming immediacy of the real world or the overstimulating colors, lights and sounds of a visual video game.
So while I’m not convinced about the Wii as a positive for all autistic kids, I do think that virtual environments of different kinds may have benefits for people on the spectrum, depending on individual needs.
I totally agree and Love the wii fit for my son with Asperger Syndrome. He needs to get more ‘fit’ but is very sensitive about his weight because of mean comments from both peers and insensitive adults. He is also learning social skills from inviting neighbor kids over to play with him. He loves helping younger kids and being a big brother type figure. Wii Fit has been a double blessing in my home!
Congratulations on finding a technology that combines fun with learning valuable skills.
A note to parents of young Aspies; expect them to someday start playing a trading card game called “Magic”, a game that requires memorizing complex properties associated with each of the various gothic themed cards and playing these properties off as weapons/strategies against other geeky players. Each of my three Aspie sons have spent hundreds of hours collecting cards, developing decks which emphasize specific strategies, and playing with “friends” who share the obsession.
Bill – also see Yu Gi Oh and Bakugan
And if you want to combine the two for the ultimate obsession Bakugan for the Wii….
It has been stressful at times, as we also got a Wii for Christmas. However, it has begun to encourage collaboration and turn taking between my 8 and 6 year old autistic boys that was not there before. There have been days when it was all too much and it just got shut off, but I would have to say it’s been encouraging interaction as of late – especially when they are combining their 2 year old typical sister in the mix. It has also led to non-Wii playing where there was only parallel play before.
The older of our two boys actually instructs them on how to play the training part of Wii Sports. Last night (weekdays are no Wii playing days because of school) they were playing with their light sabers playing something that I didn’t really figure out. I think it was Kung Fu Panda. The 8 year old is only allowed to play that when the 6 and 2 year olds are not around. I guess he taught them his version of the game. The imaginary play was great to watch.
Spectrum Dad – how cool is that?!
Lisa
We have Wii and XBOX..I have seen some great interactions, but for the most part, it’s soooo bad around here when they are on..fighting..crying…screaming..no one wants to lose and everyone that wins is a “cheater”…and yep I’ve even had a controller fly across the room..no accident! On the plus side, I too, have witnessed age 9 take the pretend from the screen and play out scenes with age 5. Today it was hunting for zombies with nerf swords. He was so cute, first he read the warnings on the nerf sword to his brother, no poking people,etc., before they played. While he has meltdowns that are pitiful, he has a soft soul, it’s the five year old that loses patience and clobbers him. I’m thinking the nine year old is getting a kind of tourettes, he yells out words, speaks nordic nonsense ,and gets on the five year olds last nerve. One more guden splendic gorton booten..may bring about that nerf poke. However, alone, he loves both, the Wii and his “fable 1″game on the XBOX,where he has transformed from a hated shopkeeper whose wife and child left him for not giving them time or money, to a shopkeeper with money, a wife that loves him, and everyone in town shows a heart when he gets near them. I have no idea, but it looks like a lesson to me.
I was looking around..after feeling a bit guilty for admitting I let him play fable..it seems it’s true, asperger’s and asd individuals do have an inclination toward video games..yet it may be a world opening to them..?? maybe a guide to social behaviors??
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7012645/ns/health-mental_health//
My son likes playing Wii, but isn’t overly addicted to video games, probably because he finds them difficult. But when he does play, he gets a little upset if he doesn’t do well and his Mii looks sad and shakes his head. I think it’s a little too discouraging for him, so it’s not a great tool for us. He does very well with the soccer/balancing game on Wii Fit, and the golf game on Wii Sports though. Much better than I do. So we make a big deal about that. Try Mario Kart.