video games and asperger's

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just wanted your opinions - do you think video/computer games play a role or influence aggressive behavior in our asperger children?

As an aspie, I used to be incredibly frustrated by video games. But then I have been incredibly frustrated by a lot of things. I wouldn't say video games made me more aggressive really, at least not in real life. If anything, they passified me.

No, I don't think video/computer games can make someone more aggressive.

I think not having proper coping mechanisms set up can make someone more aggressive.

There have been studies on children (typical or average children) playing video games or watching tv "unchecked". A child can become too passive and not learn effective problem solving with watching tv or playing some video games. That is because they are seeing other people "save the day" or whatever and they are not learning how the problem was solved. It just happens. So, in the Real World, the child becomes much more frustrated by common problems and not know how to handle it.

I think autistic kids have other developmental issues that interfere with learning how to problem solve as well. So, it seems that video games provide a type of passive learning that can be a source of anger and frustration. We used video games as lessons in self-control from the age of 5 and Pop is really good about it. He can turn the units off and walk away and find something to do when he becomes too angry at his game.
We've always watched tv shows and movies together and discussed them to make sure that Pop knew what was going on. Now, he seems to be able to digest stuff well.

Video games actually are good for hand eye coodination and bonding (if somebody plays a multi-player game) IF they aren't very violent. Anybody is going to exhibit violent behaviors if they play violent video games! I think you should try to balance video games with outdoor activities, but they did help me figure out many rules when it came to politeness during a competitive mode, so I think that they can be healthy, in moderation.

No. They are very good for hand-eye coordination and organize the mind. I can get my child's hair cut while he is playing a video game. No way it could every happen any other way. (His Early Childhood Special Ed teacher taught me that.) Anyway, after playing video games and his concentration is perfect and his brain is organized perfect, he can get his entire homework packet for the week done in one sitting with no complaints.

It is up to us as parents to teach our children about what is right and wrong. I suppose there are some really violent video games out there though. However, aggressive beahior in Aspie's is usually a spacial issue (can't get too close to them, etc.) sensory issue type of thing and social issues they can't bare. These symptoms have been found in Aspie's before the invention of violent video games.

Videogames saved me. And it's quite fun to se my boys playing Xbox with four controls at the same time using both hands and two foots. They are the nicest kids ever born, except for being kids, and mostly try to smash eachother to bits and pieces.

It may sound weird but they calm down by games like Quake, Unreal, Halo and so on. It's like dolby. And don't ever think that they would dream of hurting eachother seriously. They just joke around. Personaly, i think a Tom & Jerry cartoon contains more unrealistic violence.

Neither of my kids is violent in school, but instead prefers to walk away. But if somebody bully enough it's a cat fight that occurs. When the border is crossed, they fight.

It's a bit weird because all of my kids has an enormuous amount of empathy and usualy is the one to first run to resue when somebody is taunted or so, but they prefer to be left alone and don't have more than a few friends, but it doesn't seem to bother them. They are like me, prefer to be left alone.

i think there are some good things about video games-hand-eye coordination, working on overcoming obstacles..........i also think there are some potentially bad things aobut video games-have had trouble here with son perseverating on "finishing a level" and refusing to stop until he did, have also had trouble with son being overly aggressive after he's played a game with any sort of violence ( ie; medieval swords...)- banging on the counter, stomping around....

Video games usually calm my son down. He has to have a lot of advance notice of time to stop playing (or he tantrums big) and if he plays too long he can get a little stimmy, but usually it just keeps him calm. He carries his DS in his pocket when he goes anywhere and he even sleeps with it like a teddy bear.

We are avid video gamers in our family. I actually think the video games helped my son overcome a lot issues. It was been great for his fine motor skills and self-esteem. He has also learned some social skills through video games.

However, some games do make him more aggressive. I have documented this behavior. It's not that the games are even aggressive or violent. He only plays rated "E" games. But, the fast paced games will crank him up and he will by extra hyper afterwards.

...are you my mother? XD Just kidding, but that is definitely me. You will not see me at a haircut without my trusty Nintendo DS.

I would suggest getting a Nintendo Wii or Nintendo DS for each of you if you're looking for family-friendly gaming (good luck finding that Wii for under $350, though). The Wii has Wii Sports (which includes baseball, bowling, golf, tennis, and boxing), and the DS has so many great family games that I can't even begin, but I do strongly recommend Brain Age and Brain Age 2 if you also wanna work on that math / reflex timing.

All this coming from a 15-year-old gamer :p

My son is a huge video game junkie, its his one true love ::rolling eyes:: lol So to keep him more active we bought him the Wii so that atleast he's moving around more instead of sitting down playing the games. I will say that his motor skills and hand eye coordination has improved a ton since becoming a video game junkie so thats a bonus. He is so good at these games it really does amaze me and my husband and my son loves for us to just sit and watch him play. He figured out how to "finish" or "win" at one of his Wii games in less then 1 month of playing We don't buy him the violent games more of the kid/family friendly games...so I think its a positive thing in our house. Atleast until his sister wants to play..ok thats a whole other topic lol.