The Sims

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I bought The Sims 3 as an application for my iPod and really liked it, so I bought the full version for my computer. My six year old son, Christopher, has been watching me play on the computer for a few minutes each night, and really seemed to be getting into it, so tonight, I helped him set up his own character on my iPod.

He loves video games, and this one seems like kind of good practice: saving money for purchases, saying the right things to make friends, keeping your happiness meter just right by balancing life in general. He's already got a job, and learned tonight that you don't always make friends instantly. You have to get to know people and be friendly, sometimes for a long time.

Obviously, it's just a game, but it seems like a good game for an Aspie kid. Christopher relates very well to characters he sees. He's learning with his OT how to identify his own "happiness meters" so seeing it in his character, and helping his character fix problems with sleep, food, fun, etc. seems like a good lesson for him. Making poor choices, like playing games all night instead of sleeping, makes you cranky. Not taking a bath means people won't want to be close to you. Lots of "life" lessons in this game.

Plus this way, he can play on the iPod and leave MY character alone!

You know, I was just thinking the same thing recently. Even at my age, playing The Sims has helped me get a better perspective on life lessons.

I haven't played sims for a long time ,but yeah it seems like a good game for AS.Makes me want to play again.

I played the sims 2 a few years ago I do think it would help make learning some of those life skills more fun and it a safe way what a great idea.

I love the Sims, am currently playing Sims 3 and played Sims 2 for ages before I got bored with it. I definitely think it could be a good teaching tool. I remember when first playing with Sims 2, having a bit of an epiphany, concerning my own "social meter"...it very rarely ever gets low, and it takes very little social contact to fill it up. It gave me a great visual, and an easy way to explain to other people why I don't always want to be touched. My social meter is already full, back off! Now I get a kick out of seeing my "loner" Sims get a negative moodlet from being around too many people. I can relate!

My sons have very little interest in the gameplay on Sims, although they do like creating characters. I have a much younger special needs sister, who really likes Sims, and we thought it might be a good teaching tool for her as well. However, she got way too obsessive and fixated on the romantic and "woohoo" aspects of the game (although they are only mildly suggestive), and my parents had to stop her from playing. This might be something to watch out for with a 6 year old playing as well.

I will keep an eye on the "Woohoo's" but it'll be awhile before that becomes a possibility, I think, since he's still getting the hang of making friends. He doesn't get to play without me nearby, so he'll be supervised.

I also thought it was funny the five "traits" he chose for his guy. Conversationalist, Neat, Friendly, Genius and Good Sense of Humor. Fits my son to a tee! He also named the guy his own initials, CME!

It's been years since I've played Sims games, I got hooked on Bustin' Out. It got to the point when I found myself in my bedroom for nearly 8 hours one day, that I knew I needed to stop. It was becoming obsessive.

I do think it some great skills. Coordinating, money skills, self improvement. I'd just be prepared for my Aspergers child to become "addicted" to it. Then again, if they weren't addicted to Sims, I'm sure it would be some other game anyway.

He just gets 60 or so minutes a day of any video game time, and he has to choose what he wants to play. He's too young to get to play in his room, on his own.