Video games have long been a topic of debate, with concerns about screen time, violent content, and addiction often dominating discussions. But in recent years, research has increasingly shown the positive effects of gaming, particularly for children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). From improving cognitive skills to fostering social connections and boosting self-esteem, gaming can serve as a powerful tool for learning and development.
For children with SEND—including those with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning or developmental challenges—video games can offer unique benefits that traditional learning methods may not provide.
Improving Cognitive and Problem-Solving Skills
One of the most significant benefits of gaming is its ability to enhance cognitive and problem-solving skills. Many video games require players to think critically, plan strategies, and solve puzzles, which can be particularly beneficial for children with learning difficulties.
• Developing Executive Functioning Skills: Games that involve multi-step problem-solving, such as puzzle games (e.g., Portal, Minecraft, or The Legend of Zelda), can help children strengthen their executive functioning skills. These skills, which include planning, organising, and flexible thinking, are often areas of difficulty for children with ADHD or autism.
• Enhancing Memory and Attention: Many games require players to remember patterns, sequences, and tasks. This can help improve working memory and sustained attention, which are crucial skills for academic learning. For children with ADHD, engaging games can serve as a form of cognitive training, helping them focus and process information more effectively.
• Encouraging Logical Thinking: Strategy-based games encourage logical reasoning and critical thinking. Games such as Civilization or SimCity teach children how to plan ahead, anticipate consequences, and adapt their strategies based on new information.
Building Social Skills and Communication
If social skill and communication is challenging, video games, especially multiplayer and cooperative games, provide a safe and structured environment where children can practice social interactions.
• Encouraging Teamwork and Cooperation: Multiplayer games such as Minecraft, Roblox, and Animal Crossing allow children to work together towards common goals, helping them develop teamwork and collaboration skills. Many cooperative games encourage players to communicate effectively, take turns and share resources.
• Providing a Safe Social Space: Online gaming communities and multiplayer experiences can be particularly helpful for children who struggle with face-to-face social interactions. Games provide a low-pressure way to interact with others, helping children build confidence in their communication abilities. However, it is vital that parents monitor online interactions and set appropriate parental controls.
• Developing Emotional Recognition and Empathy: Some narrative-driven games, such as Undertale or Life is Strange, encourage players to understand different perspectives, make moral choices, and recognise emotions in characters. This can be beneficial for children with autism, who may find it challenging to interpret social cues in real-life interactions.
Enhancing Fine Motor Skills and Coordination
Children with SEND often struggle with motor skills, which can affect their ability to write, get dressed efficiently, use scissors, or perform other daily tasks. Video games, particularly those that require precise hand-eye coordination, can serve as an engaging way to improve fine motor skills.
• Strengthening Hand-Eye Coordination: Action and platform games, such as Super Mario Bros. or Rayman Legends, require players to make quick movements and react to on-screen events. These activities can help improve coordination and reaction times.
• Supporting Motor Planning and Control: Motion-based games, such as those on the Nintendo Switch (e.g., Just Dance, Ring Fit Adventure), encourage physical movement and coordination, helping children develop better control over their motor functions.
• Improving Dexterity and Grip Strength: Games that involve controllers, keyboards, or touch screens require precise finger movements, which can strengthen fine motor skills over time. This can be particularly beneficial for children with dyspraxia or other motor-related challenges.
Boosting Self-Esteem and Motivation
For children with SEND, traditional learning environments can be discouraging, particularly if they struggle with academic tasks or social interactions. Video games provide a unique space where they can experience success, build confidence, and stay motivated.
• Providing a Sense of Achievement: Games offer clear goals, immediate feedback, and a sense of progression. Whether it’s completing a level, earning points, or unlocking new abilities, these small victories can boost a child’s self-esteem and encourage perseverance.
• Offering Personalised Learning Experiences: Many educational games are designed to adapt to a child’s learning pace, ensuring that they are appropriately challenged without becoming overwhelmed. Games like Khan Academy Kids or Endless Alphabet provide a customised learning experience that caters to individual needs.
• Encouraging a Growth Mindset: Many games require players to try again after failing, teaching them resilience and problem-solving skills. This is particularly beneficial for children who may struggle with frustration or perfectionism.
Providing a Unique Learning Platform
Games can serve as an alternative or supplementary educational tool, helping children with SEND engage with subjects in a way that suits their learning styles.
• Making Learning More Engaging: Educational games make subjects like maths, science, and language more interactive and enjoyable. For example, Prodigy helps children practice maths skills in a game-based environment, while Duolingo turns language learning into a fun and rewarding experience.
• Supporting Reading and Language Development: Games with strong storytelling elements, such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Oxenfree, encourage reading comprehension and vocabulary development. For children with dyslexia, games with voice-over narration and text-to-speech options can make reading more accessible.
• Encouraging Creativity and Exploration: Open-world and sandbox games, like Minecraft and Terraria, allow children to experiment, build, and create their own worlds. These games foster creativity, problem-solving, and spatial reasoning skills.
Reducing Anxiety and Stress
Children with SEND often experience higher levels of anxiety, whether due to social difficulties, sensory sensitivities or school pressures. Video games can serve as a calming and enjoyable escape, helping them manage stress in a healthy way.
• Providing a Predictable and Structured Environment: Many children with autism thrive in structured environments with clear rules and routines. Video games provide a sense of predictability and control, reducing anxiety and promoting relaxation.
• Offering an Emotional Outlet: Games can serve as a form of emotional expression, helping children process feelings in a safe space. Games like Journey or Stardew Valley offer soothing experiences that can help with emotional regulation.
• Engaging in Mindfulness and Relaxation Games: Some games are specifically designed to promote relaxation and mindfulness. Titles like ABZÛ, Flower, and Tetris Effect use calming visuals and music to create a more relaxing experience.
Encouraging Family Bonding and Inclusion
If you think gaming is a solitary activity, think again. It’s actually something that can be enjoyed by the whole family, helping children with SEND feel included and connected to their loved ones.
• Playing Together as a Family: Cooperative and multiplayer games provide opportunities for parents and siblings to engage in fun and shared experiences. Playing games like Mario Kart or Overcooked can strengthen family bonds and improve communication.
• Bridging the Gap Between Interests: Many children with SEND have specific interests that they are passionate about. Video games can be a great way for parents to connect with their child by engaging in something they love.
• Encouraging Inclusion Among Peers: Gaming can provide common ground for children with SEND to connect with their peers, fostering friendships and social inclusion.
While it’s important for children to have a balanced and monitored approach to screen time, gaming can offer a wide range of benefits for children with special educational needs. From improving cognitive and motor skills to fostering social interactions and boosting self-esteem, video games provide a unique and effective way to support their learning and development.
By choosing appropriate games, setting healthy boundaries, and encouraging positive gaming habits, parents can harness the power of video games to help children with SEND develop vital skills, helping them to thrive in both academic and social settings.
