Video games and our kids

iVillage Member
Registered: 09-09-2005
Video games and our kids
6
Sun, 03-05-2006 - 10:15am

We've held off on getting Liam a gaming system.

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Registered: 03-27-2003
Sun, 03-05-2006 - 7:01pm

Well, I don't think kids need video games, so I don't think it's that big of a deal. If he's not too jazzed about it and you can't use it as a reinforcer of some kind, I wouldn't bother with it. There's so many other ways to learn the skills your DS is having trouble with. Shooting basketball is good. He'll have to aim and throw the ball at the same time. Dribbling a basketball or soccer ball with your feet is good too. Our Ds is easily frustrated too. We call just about everything practise so he feels like he can make mistakes.

We have some plug and plays. I use them to reinforce reading practise (which Sam struggles with so he hates doing....sound familiar?:) But the only one he cares about is a STar WArs lightsaber one that throws him into a huge meltdown because it is so hard. His uncle gave it to him and I thought it would be great because it's very active, but it's banned....too much trouble. We have a strict one TV, no video game system rule in our house, but that's just us. I know everyone has different opinions on that.

It comes down to executive funcitoning really. I'm still trying to figure out that one myself. I'm not sure if Sam will ever be able to just spontaneously remember things that he needs to do when it's appropriate, but if I can teach him how to make lists, keep an agenda and try to stay organized somewhat he might be able to manage.

HTH

Chrystee

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Registered: 02-24-2004
Sun, 03-05-2006 - 7:25pm

Dee,

Nathan doesn't really like to play video games either. He will play the gameboy...but only certain games. He loves to watch his brother and his dad play though. And he REALLY loves to tell them WHAT and HOW to play too!!! LOL

Trying new things is really hard for Nathan. He still says that the video games are too hard. He gets too stressed about doing it right too. So, we don't push him to play. We like him to try new things, but if he doesn't like it...we don't make him do it.

What I'm really working on is teaching him that losing is ok, it doesn't have to be perfect, everyone makes mistakes.....things like that. I think he really needs his confidence to be built up more, before he'll even consider trying the video games again.

He didn't think he could read either, or write, or do any of his school work. He always said that it was hard. I had to encourage him, and teach him that we all have to practice to get better. Now he's reading, writing well, and has even started flossing his own teeth, and pulling down his bed blankets to get ready for bed at night.

I'm always bringing up WHAT HE CAN DO...to help him get thru those times where he feels he can't do something. I'm hoping one day he'll go back to trying the video games again. Although the games are very addictive, he really does love video games.....so I'd love for him to learn how to play by himself.

michelle

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Registered: 09-29-2000
Sun, 03-05-2006 - 8:38pm
I dunno. I would tend to think that there are other ways to develop these skills. I have a friend whose 9yo DS is high-functioning/Asperger's, and she got him a Game Boy. She feels that it helps his focus, but he takes it with him *everywhere* and IMO it makes it too easy for him to avoid social interaction plus it gives him a ready-made area of restricted interest. Maybe I'm the wrong person to comment since I have an overall dim view of kids and electronics, though.

Lynda, Carl (12/1/99) and Erica (6/18/03)

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Registered: 09-09-2005
Sun, 03-05-2006 - 11:56pm

Actually I'm not too bothered with Liam getting a gaming system; but I do notice how much work it is for him; the need for instant perfection and the difficulty in doing two or more things at once.

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Registered: 05-05-2004
Mon, 03-06-2006 - 2:10pm

My DS has Aspergers (7 years old) and he loves video games, we use it as a carrot to get him to do his homework and other things, but have to be careful and limit the amount of time he plays because this is his area of fixated interest. I have noticed with him that if he is playing his video games with other children he interacts with them great and for a short period of time he appears so NT, to the other children and that has allowed alot of social interactions for him that otherwise would not happen. So although I am not a huge fan of video games myself, it has helped my DS in many areas. I must also note that my NT son (9yrs old) also loves to play and it has helped him with his fine motor skills as well as his hand eye coordination.

Nancy

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Registered: 10-03-2004
Mon, 03-06-2006 - 4:24pm

My ds (age 8, PDD-NOS) also loves computer games, gameboy, playstation and this has also now become a huge source of interaction with his other ASD and NT friends. Linked and several console games are really fun for him and his pals, avid interactions and than later intense, animated discussions! He also plays often with his dad, in fact, I can hear them playing in living room right now. He has recently become more interested in Pokemon and YuGiOh cards etc. through those types of electronic games, and this has greatly broadened his conversational topics with friends and even enhanced his ability to talk with kids his own age that he doesn't know --- something he was very wary of until recently. Even now, though, it depends on the reception he gets from the other kid and I can't say I blame him there!

We also are careful with the amount of time we allow him to play, esp. on a school night. He can go longer when the games are 2 or more people playing, interactive, competitive, etc. The real limits are on the solitary "screens", TV and movies on DVDs etc. are also included in our limitations.

I agree that playing the games has helped him grow socially. He also happens to be very, very good at these kinds of games, which has elevated his social standings among his NT pals. He also regularly beats great, big teenager boys in those racing games at arcades and has often drawn quite a crowd to watch him beat them, also to watch him on pinball machines.

Sara
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