Teaching Social Skills to Children with Autism Using Minecraft®: A Step by Step Guide

This comprehensive and accessible guide contains everything that needs to be known in order to set up and run a Minecraft® Social Group for children with autism spectrum disorders. Minecraft®, often described as 'digital Lego', provides an ideal forum to help children with autism and related conditions to develop social and communication skills. This book offers guidance on how to use the game to support the learning of social and emotional concepts such as having a conversation, showing interest in others and understanding another person's point of view. With over 150 pages of photocopiable and downloadable session plans, visuals and handouts, this manual is essential reading for professionals working with autism who are interested in introducing Minecraft® to support social skill development in their students.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements.

Introduction.

Part 1.

1. What are social skills?
2. How are social skills impaired in children with Autism?
3. How can group programs support children with Autism to develop social skills?
4. What is Minecraft?
5. Why use Minecraft to teach social skills?

Part 2.

6. Getting set up.
7. Running the program.
8. Sessions plans and handouts. Part 3: Resources.
9. Minecraft Money.
10. Minecraft Snakes and Ladders.
11. Helpful websites.

Bibliography.

"Motivation, in autism, switches us on! Outside of 'interest' connecting to social understanding is unlikely. The author of this book recognises this understanding. Such a resource is unique and has been a long time coming. I am excited by and highly recommend this insightful book."
- Wenn B. Lawson, (PhD) Psychology. AFBPsS; MAPs. Senior Consultant Complex Support. SA. Dept. of Ed. Disability, Policy & Planning

"Children with autism often develop talents in specific areas, such as playing computer games, but have difficulties with the social skills needed to develop friendships. This ingenious and engaging group programme uses motivation and game-playing talents to teach specific social skills. By discovering new worlds within Minecraft, the participants explore and acquire the social abilities needed to make friends."
- Dr Tony Attwood, Minds and Hearts Clinic, Brisbane