ByPass

Autism Strengths & Interests

Short Summary of Strengths & Interests

• Is good at visualizing and making patterns and sequences
• Likes puzzle play
• Is interested in building roads

Is good at matching visual items

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Bypass requires players to place tiles so that they connect with other tiles to make roads. Children who enjoy matching pieces together, such as in puzzles, can build on those skills playing the game.

Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
As play proceeds, it is helpful to remember what others did when playing their tiles, making bypasses and placing cones in order to develop more strategic thinking. Good attention and memory for details will help children with autism succeed in Bypass. Also, children who are good planners will hone those skills playing the game.

Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns

This game is not appropriate

Likes to put things in order or a sequence

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Bypass is all about sequencing tiles to build your road across the game board. Children with autism are often challenged by such an opportunity and may enjoy constructing complex patterns. Also, children who like to create their own path will enjoy this game. However, players can obstruct each other's road with bypasses or road cones. Children who lack flexibility may find these efforts to thwart their progress to be frustrating. The game can be modified by allowing players to agree on which and how obstructions can be used. Gradual introduction of changes may be helpful.

Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
As you build your road, players need to imagine what tiles will be helpful in continuing the road to the other side. Also, on each turn players may have options to play or orient tiles differently. This will require the ability to visualize different outcomes. Children with autism who are good at visualizing the effects of an action will do well at this aspect of Bypass.

Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics

This game is not appropriate

Is very concrete and literal

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Bypass does not require abstract or analogous thinking. The tiles are clearly marked with road designs that potentially link together to make roads. Players can move pieces into different orientations to see more clearly the results of laying down a tile. Children who prefer concrete and literal activities may feel comfortable with this game as they attempt to complete their road before the other players do.

Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)

This game is not appropriate

Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Bypass does not require verbalization. Children who are good at problem-solving and spatial reasoning, yet are uncomfortable verbalizing, may enjoy the game.

Likes spatial problem solving

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Some children with autism have strong spatial thinking skills or enjoy spatial problem solving. Children with this ability can use and hone those skills as they figure out how to make roads across the Bypass game board.

Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content

This game is not appropriate

Likes to use and has good fine motor skill

This game is not appropriate

Likes established routines or set ways of doing things

This game is not appropriate

Likes manipulating, constructing or building things

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Some children with autism enjoy building or constructing things and manipulating and changing the orientation of shapes to make them fit together. Players will build on these skills as they rotate and place their Bypass tiles to build their road or try to prevent others players from doing the same.

Likes to use and has good musical abilities

This game is not appropriate

Likes to use and has good drawing skills

This game is not appropriate

Autism Special Considerations

Appears to ignore other’s communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Look at the game instead of each other.Person talking holds the object being talked about near their mouth to bring the child’s attention to the object. This also shows the child how the words about the object are produced. For example, hold the roadway tile up and say, "Dead end." Rather than speak, sing communication between turns or when giving short directions. Music attracts the child’s attention and interest.Use unusual or exaggerated inflection to begin a communication about the game. This attracts the child’s attention.

Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Break down directions into small steps. Don’t go through all the directions at once.Combine short verbal instructions with visual and physical examples of each step. For each type of Roadway tile, demonstrate the potential consequences. Use photos to illustrate what needs to be done. These can be taken ahead of time. The combination of pictures and actions reinforces learning the steps. Also, take pictures during the game for use in later discussions about the game and what happened. Check for comprehension by asking the child to show you what to do next. Let children read the directions as they are explained. Visualizing the words is often a stronger learning method for children with autism. Use pictures and real objects to make the learning the instructions more concrete. For example, when playing Bypass, you could use a small toy car to show how different tile configurations create legal or broken routes.

Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another’s speech)

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Respond to the incorrect speech as stated, so the child learns that is not what they meant to say. For example, if the child says “I want straight road” when they really meant curved; point to the straight one to show them their mistake. Say, “Here is the straight road. Is this the one you want?” When the child picks up the other tile, point to each and clarify. "This one is straight and this one is curved." Respond to immediate echolalia (repeating what was just said) by rephrasing the child’s response into a correct format, so the child can hear and repeat that phrase. For example, assume you are playing with a child named Andy and you say, “Your turn,” and Andy repeats, “Your turn.” You can say, “It’s Andy’s turn. You say, my turn.” This allows the child to hear and repeat the correct response. Eventually, the child will pick up the pattern of response. Delayed echolalia (repetition of previously heard comments) may have a hidden meaning or association. Look for connection in the phrase used to the current situation. For example, the child says, “After these messages we’ll be right back!” Think what the repeated phrase is associated with for the child. Try to interpret what is meant and rephrase it for the child. For example, you might respond by saying, “It sounds like you want a break for a few minutes. Is that what you mean? You can tell me, ‘I need a break.’”

Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others’ actions or topic.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
For children who cannot focus on another child's actions, Bypass is not an appropriate game. Children must anticipate another player's potential actions.

Has difficulty producing speech/communication

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Use augmentative communication, such as picture cards. For example, a picture of person pointing to another person means “your turn.” Use gestures and sign language to illustrate actions or concepts. For example, use the sign for ‘finished’ (two hands facing down, spread out from the middle of the body), point to the next player and say, “I’m done. It’s your turn.” The signs and gestures add a visual component to support understanding. Extend the child’s sounds into words or words into phrases to provide a model. For example, if the child says “road”, the adult might add, "Your road is getting longer." Provide at least 10 seconds wait time for the child to process or produce responses. It may take longer to formulate a thought or response for children with special needs.

Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Use physical actions to walk through steps numerous times, with less support for the final step each time. This is called “shaping.” For example, walk through the steps of picking up a roadway tile and holding it in different orientations up next to the child's last-placed tile. Say, "Lots of ways to try. You pick the one you want." Make picture cards of each step of a game, so the child can refer to the pictures for the next step in the sequence.

Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Develop a social story to be read at the start of a game. A social story is a short booklet that illustrates how a child can use positive social skills. It includes two to five descriptive statements and a directive statement. For example: “When I watch others, I will know when it is my turn. Others like me when I take turns. I will watch what others do with their pieces and listen to what they say. Others like it when I talk about the game.” Add photos or drawings of the child doing the actions described in the story. Role play social situations and reinforce appropriate words and actions. For example, role play someone blocking a road and what you might say to them, "You blocked my road! Use video feedback of positive social behaviors. Video of actual play enables children to see what they or others did. Appropriate actions and interactions can then be discussed.

Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Reduce extraneous noise or allow the child to wear head phones or ear plugs if loud sounds cause anxiety. A weighted vest worn during the game may provide additional pressure input and thus reduce fidgeting due to sensory needs. Pressure can be calming when used for no more than 20 minutes at a time. Practice a phrase to ask for help and role play situations in the game where it is needed. Provide techniques for self-calming, such as holding a special toy. Allow time for movement. For example, a child who needs to move frequently can be given an opportunity to 'celebrate' their turn by running around the table or jumping up and down 10 times.

Has short attention span for non-preferred activities

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Provide a break when needed. Use “when…then” phrases. For example, “When you take your turn, then I’ll let you play with your toy.” Frequently remind the child of the goal of the game. "Your road is almost finished!" Incorporate a motivating activity as part of the play. For example, each player gets to manipulate a fun 'fidget' toy, such as a stress ball or squeeze toy.

Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Play games at the same time every day, so the child anticipates the game routine. Change the location of the game, so the child may play in different rooms, at the table, or on the floor. This will build tolerance for variation. Prepare the child ahead time for the introduction of a new game. Talk about aspects that will be motivating for the child, and let them explore the parts of the game before setting out the whole game. Provide a structure for placement of game pieces that can be the same each time the game is played. For example, have a specific location for where the board goes, the pieces, etc. Provide choices for how the child can be involved in set up or clean up. For example, you might ask, “Do you want to make three or four piles of tiles here?" Involve the child verbally and with actions for the transition to the game table or at the end of game play. For example, you might say, “Let’s look at the pictures on the game box and guess what it is about.” Use an object cue. Let the child hold an object from the game or activity you want to introduce prior to the transition. For example, if you were intending to play Bypass you would hand the child road cone and say, “Look here is a road cone? What game does it go with?”

Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
For children who cannot understand another child's thoughts and actions, Bypass is not an appropriate game. Children must anticipate another player's potential thinking and subsequent actions.