Dungeons and Dragons can help autistic people gain confidence
That's according to new research at the University of Plymouth
New research at the University of Plymouth has found the game Dungeons & Dragons could be beneficial for people with autism.
Playing the game over a six week period gave participants a safe space to engage in social interactions away from some of the challenges they face in their daily lives.
They were then interviewed and asked how they felt their autism might have interacted with their experiences and, in turn, whether taking part in the game impacted their lives.
Many found the study made them feel different about themselves and even allowed them to take traits from their characters outside of the game.
Dr Gray Atherton, Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Plymouth and the study’s lead author, said:
“There are many myths and misconceptions about autism, with some of the biggest suggesting that those with it aren’t socially motivated, or don’t have any imagination. Dungeons and Dragons goes against all that, centring around working together in a team, all of which takes place in a completely imaginary environment. Those taking part in our study saw the game as a breath of fresh air, a chance to take on a different persona and share experiences outside of an often-challenging reality. That sense of escapism made them feel incredibly comfortable, and many of them said they were now trying to apply aspects of it in their daily lives.”
Another recently published study showed that those with autism enjoy board games because they took the pressure off the uncertainty around meeting and interacting with people, removing the need for small talk.
Dr Liam Cross added: “Autism comes with several stigmas, and that can lead to people being met with judgement or disdain. We also hear from lots of families who have concerns about whether teenagers with autism are spending too much time playing things like video games. A lot of the time that is because people have a picture in their minds of how a person with autism should behave, but that is based on neurotypical experiences. Our studies have shown that there are everyday games and hobbies that autistic people do not simply enjoy but also gain confidence and other skills from. It might not be the case for everyone with autism, but our work suggests it can enable people to have positive experiences that are worth celebrating.”
The study, published in the journal Autism, was led by researchers from the University of Plymouth’s School of Psychology along with colleagues at Edge Hill University and Dalarna University in Sweden.