Online gaming for autistic youth: Exploring the impact on participation from the perspectives of autistic adolescents and their caregivers.
- 1Curtin School of Allied Health, Curtin University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
- 2Centre of Neurodevelopemental Disorders (KIND), Centre for Psychiatry Research, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet and Stockholm Health Care Services, Stockholm, Sweden.
- 3School of Allied Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
Abstract
Introduction
The rise in the number of adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has highlighted the need for strength-based approaches to support them. The accessibility of online gaming has made it a popular avenue for autistic adolescents to socialise and connect with others while enhancing skill development. This study aimed to explore online gaming from the perspectives of autistic adolescents and their caregivers, including the impact gaming may have on daily participation and functioning.Methods
This study employed a mixed methods research design. Both autistic adolescents and their caregivers completed online surveys comprising a combination of Likert-scale and open-ended questions. The survey responses were descriptively and thematically analysed.Consumer and community involvement
Survey questions were reviewed by volunteer staff (including autistic staff members) of a local autistic community coding club to ensure readability and accessibility of the survey.Results
In total, 45 participants (23 caregivers and 22 autistic adolescents) responded to the survey. Themes relating to online gaming were identified, including social communication, emotion regulation, and skill development while also highlighting caregiver concerns of online safety and excessive screen use. Most autistic adolescents reported feeling happy when playing online games and most caregivers agreed online gaming supported their child to build better relationships with others. Over half of autistic adolescents agreed that online gaming helped them feel more confident in social situations with others.Conclusion
Allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, may utilise online gaming, incorporating strength-based learning and skill development, when working alongside autistic adolescents and their caregivers to facilitate social participation and promote online safety.
Related
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BibTeX
@article{haydenevans2026online,
title = {{Online gaming for autistic youth: Exploring the impact on participation from the perspectives of autistic adolescents and their caregivers.}},
author = {Maya Hayden-Evans and Tahlia Inkster and Isabella Fimmano and Zoe Smith and Jessica Leamon and Sonya Girdler and Ben Milbourn},
journal = {Australian occupational therapy journal},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1111/1440-1630.70132},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42905893},
note = {CC BY-NC-ND},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Online gaming for autistic youth: Exploring the impact on participation from the perspectives of autistic adolescents and their caregivers.
AU - Maya Hayden-Evans
AU - Tahlia Inkster
AU - Isabella Fimmano
AU - Zoe Smith
AU - Jessica Leamon
AU - Sonya Girdler
AU - Ben Milbourn
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/01
JO - Australian occupational therapy journal
DO - 10.1111/1440-1630.70132
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42905893
AB - Introduction The rise in the number of adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder has highlighted the need for strength-based approaches to support them. The accessibility of online gaming has made it a popular avenue for autistic adolescents to socialise and connect with others while enhancing skill development. This study aimed to explore online gaming from the perspectives of autistic adolescents and their caregivers, including the impact gaming may have on daily participation and functioning.Methods This study employed a mixed methods research design. Both autistic adolescents and their caregivers completed online surveys comprising a combination of Likert-scale and open-ended questions. The survey responses were descriptively and thematically analysed.Consumer and community involvement Survey questions were reviewed by volunteer staff (including autistic staff members) of a local autistic community coding club to ensure readability and accessibility of the survey.Results In total, 45 participants (23 caregivers and 22 autistic adolescents) responded to the survey. Themes relating to online gaming were identified, including social communication, emotion regulation, and skill development while also highlighting caregiver concerns of online safety and excessive screen use. Most autistic adolescents reported feeling happy when playing online games and most caregivers agreed online gaming supported their child to build better relationships with others. Over half of autistic adolescents agreed that online gaming helped them feel more confident in social situations with others.Conclusion Allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, may utilise online gaming, incorporating strength-based learning and skill development, when working alongside autistic adolescents and their caregivers to facilitate social participation and promote online safety.
SN - 0045-0766
SN - 1440-1630
ER -