Game Changer: Exploring the Role of Board Games in the Lives of Autistic People.
Liam Cross, Francesca Belshaw, Andrea Piovesan and 1 others
PMID 38967700WHAT IT FOUND
Autistic adults described board games as a social lubricant that removes the pressure of small talk.
The clear rules and shared focus on the game allow them to interact authentically without masking, helping them form friendships and reduce anxiety.
Key findings
01Autism and elevated autistic traits are over-represented in board gaming communities compared to the general population.
02Autistic gamers prefer cooperative and solo play, and value logical mechanics over social deception elements.
03Interviewees reported that the structure of board games reduces social anxiety by providing a clear focus and removing the need for small talk.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for OTsWhat it means for SLPs
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What it does not show
The survey relied on self-reported diagnoses and online recruitment, which may attract a specific demographic of highly educated, white, male gamers and exclude those with intellectual disabilities. The qualitative interviews and focus groups had small sample sizes (13 and 28 participants), so the themes reflect the experiences of those specific individuals rather than the wider autistic population. The study was observational and qualitative; it did not test whether playing board games actively improves mental health or social skills compared to other activities.
Declared interests
The study was funded by 'Game In Lab', a commercial entity involved in board gaming.
The easy way to misread this
Do not assume board games are universally suitable for all autistic patients. The study participants were largely highly educated and cognitively able, and many reported specific difficulties with social deception games or complex rules. Individual preferences for structure and social interaction vary widely.
Summarised by AI from the full paper, without a clinician reviewing it. Check it against the source before it changes what you do. Read it on PubMed →