For many years, popular press has emphasized the negative impact of video games on the psyche. Some reports suggest that the repetitive actions involved with gaming may produce diminished capacity for social interaction among gamers, especially among those living with disabilities such as autism spectrum disorders. However, recent evidence also suggests that video games can have an important role as a therapeutic tool for people with disabilities. Because of this, a new generation of researchers are proving that gaming can provide a unique and positive construct for social interaction for the special needs community.

Although the field has gained increased interest in recent years, the connection between the impact of video games on the autistic community remains under-researched. Anecdotal evidence often links the actions of some video games with the behaviors that autism therapy seeks to correct: hyperfocusing, repetitive actions, and social withdrawal are among the symptoms that video games stereotypically are thought to exacerbate.  However, the research refutes these ideas and the newer generation of video games is emerging as a champion of the therapy world.

Pioneering what some have called the “Wii-search” on the benefits of video games as a rehabilitation tool is Dr. Nathan Herz. Dr. Herz, Vice President of the AbleGamers Foundation, is an impressive advocate for the gaming community.  He received his Occupational Therapy Doctorate from Creighton University in 2004. He has 28 years in the field of occupational Therapy. He is currently an Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy at the Medical College of Georgia and is involved with the MCG Movement Disorders Center for Excellence, since 2004. He has been a part of the Interdisciplinary Movement Disorders Clinic since 2004. He has partnered with Dr. John Morgan the MCG Centers Director and he began doing researching on the Wii after its release in 2006, He has presented his research on the Wii to the National Parkinson's Foundation (NPF) Young Onset conference in Atlanta in August 2008. He is currently funded by the NPF for research using the Wii as a modality for the treatment of Parkinson’s Disease. Dr. Herz has spoken nationally and internationally on games in health primarily using the Wii across the lifespan.

According to Dr. Herz’s study, gaming with the Wii has profound positive impacts for the disabled community. Working with clients suffering from Parkinson’s disease, Dr. Herz found that the use of the Nintendo Wii has had profound impacts of the quality of life for those suffering from Parkinson’s disease. Specifically, clients who used the Wii showed significant levels of improvement in depression, quality of life, and fine motor aspects. The physical, cognitive, psychological and social aspects of playing with the Wii can have positive impacts on the health and wellness of participants.

Dr Herz is confident that his research will translate well to other members of the disabled community, specifically for those living with autism spectrum disorders.  He takes a special interest in the use of the Wii for the autistic community because he has a nephew who is living with Aspergers syndrome, a form of autism spectrum disorder. Autistic clients often have sensory issues that may cause them to become overwhelmed in real world circumstances.

He states:

“Gaming and virtual reality allows for the creation of different environments for the client. It’s common for people with autism to develop attachments to things that are non-biological. Sensory processing is a serious issue for this group. By using video games such as the Wii or virtual reality, we can simulate environments that can positively influence their measured perception and cognition.”

Dr. Herz feels that the autistic community would benefit in particular from Wii music programs. Use of the Wii promotes both physical and mental activity that is meaningful for clients. Dr Herz states: “By using Wii music, clients are able to manipulate and play an instrument in a way that might improve their functional ability. Being successful at Wii relies on the specific integration of movements, a key aspect of therapy for many autistic clients.”

Additionally, the use of the Wii or virtual reality could enable treatment teams to design environments catered specifically to the needs of their clients, allowing for enhanced treatments and therapeutic programs tailored to meet the individual needs of the client. For this group of people, the value of practicing real world skills in a controlled environment could prove to be a valuable and entertaining part of their therapy. A persistent complaint with rehabilitative therapies is that clients are often bored with the motions and exercises needed to develop the coordination necessary to develop or redevelop daily living skills. The success of many of the Wii games require that clients integrate their motions in a way that can mimic physical therapy. The clients become too occupied with the fun of the game to be bored by the routine of therapy.

The game makers are listening to these trends. Already, video games are being developed to meet the specific needs of the autistic client as well as clients with other special needs. In the future, it is likely that gaming will become a recognized treatment tool serving a broad range of clients, used not only to entertain, but also to educate and heal.