Kinect Helps Father Play With Autistic Son

[Daniel Laeben-Rosen]

See things like that just warms my heart...
And it does make sense that it'd be perfect for anyone with a more severe form of autism(wide field that), as shapes, colours and sounds are easier for them to identify and comprehend, while more abstract notions like "wiggle that stick while pressing those two buttons to make your character do this" is usually harder.
That's what my own experience and studies have taught me at least.

 

[guntotingtomcat]

Yeah, my brother has autism and he's been playing with play stations forever. He is an absolute expert on ratchet and clank, often not an easy game.

Realistically, because autism doesn't effect the ability to use controllers, I think it was because his son was young and unfamiliar with consoles that he struggled initially.

 

[antipunt]

Wow. This article really -does- melt an icy heart

 

[Tipsy Giant]

Score one videogames.

Take that you pissy old people and grumpy politicians.

^ This man, it is the reason we all love the medium so much, it creates moments for people in so many different ways, whether it be having a shared moment of fun with a child or intense rivalries with friends on a couch, it is the best form of media, bar none

 

[guntotingtomcat]

See things like that just warms my heart...
And it does make sense that it'd be perfect for anyone with a more severe form of autism(wide field that), as shapes, colours and sounds are easier for them to identify and comprehend, while more abstract notions like "wiggle that stick while pressing those two buttons to make your character do this" is usually harder.
That's what my own experience and studies have taught me at least.

Wrong. It's not because autistic kids have difficulty with controllers. The difficulty is that they get bored very easily and lack the patience to learn an unfamiliar system.
In short, autism doesn't = stupidity. They comprehend the controls just as well, if not better, than someone who isn't on the spectrum. The problem is learning NEW controls, particularly with someone new to games, isn't fun. Motion controls remove the initial barrier.

 

[GodsAndFishes]

This is the only possible reason for me to get as kinect, as my sister is autistic as well, so hopefully this'll allow her to properly play games.

 

[Warped_Ghost]

That story just made my day a little brighter.

 

[guntotingtomcat]

Score 1 for Kinect. Awesome story, as awesome as the naked dancing thing.

Sorry, this is irrelevant to the thread, but you're avatar just made a really bored young man (with a late essay to write) injure himself laughing.
Whoever you may be, cheers.

 

[AceofPie]

Wow. This made my day. What an awesome story.

 

[Tipsy Giant]

Awww, bless them.
I hope Russell Howard puts this on his show, put video games in a nice light for once.

I just recommended it to him for the nice story at the end of the show

 

[Daniel Laeben-Rosen]

See things like that just warms my heart...
And it does make sense that it'd be perfect for anyone with a more severe form of autism(wide field that), as shapes, colours and sounds are easier for them to identify and comprehend, while more abstract notions like "wiggle that stick while pressing those two buttons to make your character do this" is usually harder.
That's what my own experience and studies have taught me at least.

Wrong. It's not because autistic kids have difficulty with controllers. The difficulty is that they get bored very easily and lack the patience to learn an unfamiliar system.
In short, autism doesn't = stupidity. They comprehend the controls just as well, if not better, than someone who isn't on the spectrum. The problem is learning NEW controls, particularly with someone new to games, isn't fun. Motion controls remove the initial barrier.

I'm sorry, when did I say autism = stupidity? If that's what you read you read way too much into it.
People with more severe autisms like the one described usually do have problems understanding directions, simply because they have a lack of communication-skills. The controllers themselves aren't the problem(even if modern controllers are needlesly complex), the problem is that people like the child described in the article simply lack the capacity to understand the instructions given. It doesn't make them stupid, it's just that it's very hard for them. There are quite a few cases where the autism is severe enough that the child never learns to speak or even have problems learning to use the bathroom.

 

[icame]

Microsoft, i never though I'd say this but...

http://freeinternetcookies.com/cookie/cookie.jpg

You've earned it

 

[skeanthu]

Eventually all forms of education will become interactive with these types of electronics; and I for one applaud this father for finding a connection.

 

[EeveeElectro]

Awww, bless them.
I hope Russell Howard puts this on his show, put video games in a nice light for once.

I just recommended it to him for the nice story at the end of the show

Good good. If we all do it, maybe he will ;D

 

[Tipsy Giant]

Awww, bless them.
I hope Russell Howard puts this on his show, put video games in a nice light for once.

I just recommended it to him for the nice story at the end of the show

Good good. If we all do it, maybe he will ;D

We should try and get all of the escapists UKers to send him a tweet @BBCGOODNEWS with the url in

 

[Tipsy Giant]

EDIT: Double post

 

[guntotingtomcat]

See things like that just warms my heart...
And it does make sense that it'd be perfect for anyone with a more severe form of autism(wide field that), as shapes, colours and sounds are easier for them to identify and comprehend, while more abstract notions like "wiggle that stick while pressing those two buttons to make your character do this" is usually harder.
That's what my own experience and studies have taught me at least.

Wrong. It's not because autistic kids have difficulty with controllers. The difficulty is that they get bored very easily and lack the patience to learn an unfamiliar system.
In short, autism doesn't = stupidity. They comprehend the controls just as well, if not better, than someone who isn't on the spectrum. The problem is learning NEW controls, particularly with someone new to games, isn't fun. Motion controls remove the initial barrier.

I'm sorry, when did I say autism = stupidity? If that's what you read you read way too much into it.
People with more severe autisms like the one described usually do have problems understanding directions, simply because they have a lack of communication-skills. The controllers themselves aren't the problem(even if modern controllers are needlesly complex), the problem is that people like the child described in the article simply lack the capacity to understand the instructions given. It doesn't make them stupid, it's just that it's very hard for them. There are quite a few cases where the autism is severe enough that the child never learns to speak or even have problems learning to use the bathroom.

My apologies, I assumed when you said "difficulty understanding" you meant "dumb". I also apologise for the inflammatory and dickish use of the word 'wrong' in my previous post. I would say, though, that I used to work with autistic kids and pretty much all of them played video games with no difficulty whatsoever. One even played sudoku on a DS, though he was relatively "high functioning". It's the method of introduction that's the problem.
As you said, "wiggle that stick while pressing those two buttons to make your character do this" is confusing, even if the child hears it, but a better method is physical demonstration, i.e. showing them the buttons and helping them press them etc. Once they become interested, the understanding follows quickly.

 

[Varanfan9]

See I told everyone motion controls weren't stupid. Who's laughing now?!
Naw just kidding. This made me really glad. It just prooves that video games can pull a family together as well as anything else.

 

[Yossarian1507]

While it's a cool and heartwarming story (huh... That's a paradox, isn't it?), I'm starting to get sick from all those 'Kinect this, Kinect that' news. What's next? Kinect can cure cancer?

 

[Roboto]

Maybe it has less to do with his son being Autistic and more to the fact that he is four years old. Don't get me wrong, I think it's cool that he can see his son have fun with video games, but at the same time I feel that blaming autism on him not being able to use a 360 controller is a bit much considering most four year olds can't even hold a baseball bat the right way. Autism, giving us a built in excuse since 1996.

I'm 19 and I can't dual analogue for shit. Some people got it some don't, and it can take years to develop into intuitiveness. Motion controls do surpass the learning curves, that's for sure.

I'll stick to mouse and keyboard though.