Researcher(s)
- Amira Ahamed, Biological Sciences Education, University of Delaware
Faculty Mentor(s)
- Anjana Bhat, Phyiscal Therapy, University of Delaware
Abstract
Our research project involves using exercise video games to see whether autistic children improve physically, socially, or mentally while playing them. We compared two commercially available games: Nintendo Switch and BrainyAct. In previous years, autistic participants spent time playing these exercise video games; they then rated their favorite games, least favorite games, what worked and what did not work. If the students were happy, upset, excited, or angry during the games, this was noted down. We also wrote down if the participants were able to actually complete the game or whether it needed some modification. These modifications could have been because of technology not working, or because the participant themself was not able to complete it due to their own compliance or interest. My research project is comparing the emotions of the children between playing the two video games. Do they work, did the kids improve, what did the kids like, and how could the companies improve?