Casual Games Act As Therapy For Children With ADHD
Studies done by the Information Solutions Group indicate children with ADHD disorder can experience a therapeutic effect from playing casual games. As covered on GameDaily, the study reveals “of the approximately 220 respondents, 83 percent cited Improved concentration skills/Increased attention span and 64 percent cited Stress relief/Relaxation.” Dr. Carl Arinoldo, who headed the study, claims “children with AD/HD often lack that sense of control that comes much more easily to their non-AD/HD peers. Playing casual games such as Peggle and Bejeweled, among others, is one area in their lives in which these children can experience some sense of control with the added benefit of achieving success in something. Both of these aspects, taken together, can serve to enhance the child’s self-concept and self-esteem.” At the 2008 SXSW Interactive + ScreenBurn festival, Jane McGonigal’s keynote advocated a very similar response to games: “In games we can be good at things that we’re not good at in real life…Games are the happiness engines.” Games aren’t just for recreation; you can improve your ability to achieve in gaming and life!