Space It!

Autism Strengths & Interests

Short Summary of Strengths & Interests

• Likes and is good at addition.
• Good at making sequences and seeing number patterns.
• Enjoys activities that follow clear, predictable rules such as math.

Is good at matching visual items

This game is not appropriate

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

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Children can create a Space It! pattern by looking at the numbers in front of them and rearranging them into equally spaced intervals that will fit with a number on the board. This requires understanding the need to add the same number to each member of the pattern. Children who have a high level of ability to understand numbers can often create these patterns effortlessly.

Likes to put things in order or a sequence

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Space It is great for children with autism who have an interest in math and can do basic addition. It requires players to create number pattern sequences with equal intervals and build on the number sequences already on the board. Children with autism often like patterns because they are predictable. Children can learn flexibility by seeing that interval patterns can be created with any number. The sequences on the board may be modified to create a new pattern, however, which may be troublesome to some children. If this is upsetting to the child, change the rules to eliminate this option, or gradually introduce this alternative as the child becomes familiar with the game.

Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind

This game is not appropriate

Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Space It! is based on one rule, making sequences of numbers that are the same spaces apart. Space It! also requires basic understanding of addition. Thus, the game is great for children who like to follow the rules while building sequences and patterns based on addition and numbers.

Is very concrete and literal

This game is not appropriate

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

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Each time a player makes a new sequence, it represents the spacing between numbers. For example, the sequence 5, 10, 15 is a chunk of spacing in five increments. Children who are good at chunking information will hone that skill as they create sequences, add to existing sequences, or even change sequences on the table by inserting tiles to create a different sequence with a new increment (for example, taking 4, 8, 12 and inserting 6 and 10 to change it to a two increment sequence).

Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Reasoning with numbers involves understanding patterns and applying logic to the numbers provided to obtain an answer. In Space It!, creating or modifying sequences does not require verbalizing or writing down one's reasoning. Therefore, children who are good at non-verbal reasoning may feel comfortable playing Space It!.

Likes spatial problem solving

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Creating sequences and patterns of numbers involves spatial problem solving. Children who enjoy visual problem-solving activities, such as puzzles and tangrams, will likely enjoy using those skills in Space It.

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

This game is not appropriate

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:
Sit at an angle to the child, so direct eye contact is not needed.

Look at the game instead of each other.

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:
Space It! is not an appropriate game for children who have difficulty understanding complex directions. Children need to understand spatial options, patterning, and how to use a wild tile.

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? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
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? No

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification?

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Children need to pay attention to other player's intentions and actions, as they need to play both their own board and other players". For this reason, Space It! is not recommended for children with this concern.

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."

Communication is not required.

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

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification?

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Space It! has complex directions and involves abstract tasks. It is not recommended for children with special needs unless they have expertise with numbers and patterns.

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 commenting on another player's turn. For instance, "I see your pattern. Add 2 each time."

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? No

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification?

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Not recommended for children with a short attention span, unless number games are a preferred activity.

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? Yes

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 hand out the people or set up the board?"

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 Space It!, you would hand the child a number tile from the game and say, "Look here is a number tile. Let's find the game it goes in."

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

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? No

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

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Not recommended for children with this concern.