Like many constructions, it started small. But now thousands of children with autism (自闭症) are making friends and learning social skills by playing a special version of online building game Minecraft.
Stuart Duncan got the idea through a popular blog he ran about his own experiences with autism as well as bringing up a son with autism. Other parents with autistic children started telling him that their kids were crazy about a game that let them explore a randomly generated wilderness. However, despite loving the game, many of the children were being bullied (霸凌) by other players.
So, in 2013, Duncan, a web developer in Canada, set up a server to run a version of Minecraft only for children with autism and their families. He thought the invite-only server would attract 10 or 20 people, but hundreds requested to join in the first few days. Now, almost three years later, running the special version, Autcraft, is his full-time job. The community has nearly 7000 members, along with a team of engineers to help manage its many activities. "Parents see such a benefit for themselves and their children," says Duncan.
In Minecraft, you use blocks of materials like wood and stone to build whatever you like. "This is a great way for them to play a game they love, but also have a social experience," says Kate Ringland from the University of California, who has spent 60 hours inside this virtual world, watching how the kids play and chat to one another. "It's giving an alternative way for these kids to express themselves and communicate without the stresses of the physical life stuff. "
Everyday social situations can be challenging for autistic children, who may struggle to pick up on social signals or understand another person's viewpoint. Duncan thinks Minecraft removes the pressures typical of the real world. There is no noisy or unfamiliar environment to distract (使分心) you, no pressure to track the other person's facial expressions or worry about eye contact. Joining a community like Autcraft could be a good first step to feeling less socially anxious and more engaged.
