The current landscape of serious games for autism is characterized by a medicalized approach that prioritizes training autistic children to mimic neurotypical social behaviors. This methodology often frames autism as an impairment to be corrected, which can lead to negative psychological outcomes such as self-repression and diminished autonomy. Furthermore, existing serious games are almost exclusively designed for autistic users, failing to facilitate direct, meaningful interaction between autistic and non-autistic peers. While public social games offer a space for interaction, they lack the necessary safeguards to protect autistic children from high rates of cyberbullying and social exclusion.
To address this disconnect, a neurodiversity-centered framework for game design is proposed, shifting the objective from behavioral correction to the facilitation of inclusive social connections. This framework is built upon three fundamental principles: inclusiveness, which mandates that games involve both autistic and non-autistic participants; affirmation, which ensures game tasks respect and validate neurodivergent identities rather than forcing conformity; and safety, which requires robust internal mechanisms and external supervision to mitigate the risks of harassment.
The analysis highlights that while no single existing game perfectly embodies these principles, projects like Autcraft demonstrate the potential for success. By utilizing a moderated server environment, Autcraft has successfully fostered a community of over 17,000 players, proving that safe, affirming, and inclusive digital spaces are achievable. The research concludes that while implementing these three principles simultaneously presents a significant design challenge, adopting a neurodiversity approach is essential for creating digital environments that support the social needs and well-being of the autistic community. Future efforts must focus on developing actionable methods to balance these principles effectively.
