The first time I ever heard of Minecraft was when Jack asked to have the game. I had no idea of the strong links between autism and minecraft. A quick google of autism and Minecraft will bring up lots of results. It seems to be something that attracts some autistic people, and as is often the case. Once it becomes a special interest, it becomes an obsession.
Minecraft is even being used in therapies, to help autistic children learn things like social skills. You can apply for a specialised server for autistic people, called AutCraft, which is said to be a safe haven for autistic children to play Minecraft. Jack just plays on Minecraft normally, and it’s for fun.
The joy of building something
When you successfully build something, it gives you such a great feeling. No matter what it is, big or small, you still get that feeling of achievement. I talked about how Lego provides that for Jack in “Is Lego good for autistic children”, click the link if you haven’t read that post before.
Of course with Lego you are restricted to what you can make. In the computerised world of Minecraft the possibilities are practically endless. You can go wherever your imagination takes you.
Using Minecraft to express feelings
The other day Jack was very excited to show me a laboratory he made. He then told me he had the coronavirus inside it and was working on a cure.
I actually felt quite emotional and proud that he was thinking of doing that. He has found it difficult to understand, what is going on in the world right now. Trying to express his own feelings on the matter, hasn’t been easy either. We have spent a lot of time of time, trying to learnt what Jack is trying to say to us, when he is unable to do it directly.
This was Jacks way of showing us he is worried about the coronavirus, and wants there to be a cure found. So that everything can go back to normal. When he does something like this, it gives us the opportunity to ask questions about a subject he doesn’t like to talk about.
He won’t communicate about a subject he is anxious about, and if you try and force the issue he’s even less likely to talk. This was showing us he was ready to talk about the coronavirus. Only a few questions, with short answers and nods of the head. But enough for us to get an understand of how anxious and worried he is feeling, and now he knows we know.
Jack’s favourite builds
That was an example of how autism and Minecraft work, to help an autistic child communicate with his parents. Let’s finish with something more fun. I’ve asked Jack to share with you, the favourite things he has built on Minecraft.
Some of the favourite things he has built include, Freddy Fazbears Pizzeria, a nether portal, and the Kanto region in Pokemon.
His absolute favourite is the SCP 250 foundation facility. Don’t worry if you don’t know what that means, I don’t really either. Here is a brief explanation of what SCP is.
You can click here if you want to find out more about it. There’s a couple of pictures below to showing the facility that Jack has made.
There have been a lot of posts involving Lily recently, so it was fun for me to get Jack involved again. For those of you out there who’s kids like playing on Minecraft, or even you yourself. What do you enjoy building on there. We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below.
Adam
My name is Adam. I live with my partner Natalie, and our 2 children Jack and Lily. Both children are autistic, it is now my mission to show what life around autism is like. Spread the awareness and gain the acceptance that autistic people deserve.
That’s awesome that he enjoys minecraft so much. I’ve heard a lot of good things about that game!
Thank you, if you like to use your imagination and create stuff, then it’s a great game to play.
I know mine craft is so popular. That’s great he was able to be involved in your blog post
Thank you for commenting, yeah it’s pretty popular, I really love it when I can get the kids working with me on posts.
Minecraft seems like a nice way to build something, especially as it improves creativity and imagination. I used to play Minecraft back in the days. Would love to play it again sometime.
When I first saw the game. I never imagined the scale of things people would build would get too. It’s incredible.
Flora is a massive fan of Minecraft too – like you, I’m very happy about this because it involves imagination, creativity, problem solving, engineering and, when she joins her friends in their worlds, teamwork. Such a good thing to find a computer game/app that is actually educational that they want to play in their free time! So glad Jack loves it and it’s helping him 🙂 Lisa
Yeah, it’s a fantastic game. Jack’s obsessed with it. Lily enjoys it to but prefers Roblox, that I don’t think has quite the same educational value.
I’ve never played it and my kids are still too little, but it sounds fun! That’s cool that it can be helpful to those with autism 🙂
It’s fun and you can learn from it. Your kids might get into it in a years, or there might be a new thing out by then.
Aw I used to love playing Minecraft when I was younger but had never thought of the positives it could bring to a child with autism! I also love his builds!
Thanks you, he will love that you said you love his builds 😊
I loved playing Minecraft when I was younger, this has given me the urge to get back on it.
Haha yes!! Do it, you know you will enjoy it 😂
I remember my brother used to love playing Minecrasft. As a creative game, it is relaxing and gives one the potential to open up and build some pretty cool things! I love that Jack is building more specific buildings. 🙂
Yeah I will say are you building a house, and he’ll be like, no….it’s…..(something precise)
Good post. It’s an interesting connection between autism and Minecraft! I’m glad it seems to be helping!
Thank you for commenting, it certainly is interesting and is helping Jack.
I’ve never played minecraft but it sounds fun! Lincoln logs and legos used to be my favorite things to play because I loved building things. It’s great that Jack is able to express his emotions through the game. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
Thank you, Jack loves Lego too, I guess this is the virtual version.
Jacks SCP foundation looks cool, does he do a video tour like on YouTube.
Minecraft has s great, jacks builds look good I would like to see some more.
Thanks, I’m sure there will be plenty more to come in the future.
Thanks. He hasn’t yet, we don’t have the stuff for it, but it’s something he wants to do.
I never knew that about minecraft – very interesting and cool that it’s has a component esp. for autistic children to learn skills more easily.
Thank you for commenting, it certainly is very cool.
Wow great creativity from jack!! Well done, it’s great how it helps him with other things as well.
Thank you for your comment, it really it great. Cheers