A Review of Digital Games for Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

In this study, we review existing free digital games for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We examine their features, aim, educational design, and learning theories that underlie them. Fourteen games were analysed. Based on our analysis, behaviourism seems to be a dominant educational approach for the design of games for ASD, despite the educational advantages of constructivist approaches. Through this review, we link the educational design of digital games for children with ASD to the potential learning outcomes, and we provide some insights for game developers, ASD specialists, and teachers, relevant to the design of more effective games for children with ASD.