Quote From: karebabeMy son (13) as well has a very mild case of Asperger's. But non the less his repetitive habits can drive us all a bit mad at times... He has a great deal of difficulty completing chores and required tasks at home and so I have set up a system or rewards of sorts to allow him the time he wants to game (WOW) and to get what I need done as well... I actually encouraged him to play WOW as it has done a tremendous job at teaching him to read better... there are a lot of repetitive tasks to complete in the game and achievements to gain, all of which require many very intelligent skills, and all of which help him with developing skills to help him with his school work... I can not say enough good about this game ... But I think the other thing that I did that was important, is I have also played the game! I know where and what my kids are doing... earning the right to play for four hours on the weekend, is a huge acomplishiment for my son... and he has better expectations for himself and plans his time wisely while in the game as well to complete tasks he wants to do... Like anything is life moderation is the key...
I am glad your son found positives in the game. My son was born with a rare muscle condition that made him thin and created scoliosis which eventually took his life last May. He was one of the top players and very popular in runescape which unlike his recent real life where many would bully and/or ignore him due to him not being agile and being extremely thin. Interesting to note that the Australian Army suggested that many positions in the future will require skills that these games need. I feel that it won't just be military but also in mining for example where robots manipulated on a above ground screen replace human miners in what is a very dangerous job. I felt Dr. Phil did not give enough positives to online games so I will list some. 1. They increase hand, eye co-ordination. 2. They will lead to jobs of the future. 3. They expose the young to the world and different ways of looking at things. 4. They are a boom to the disabled and immobile. 5. They lead to skills of imagination.
I wonder if people were worried about Bill Gates's "obsession" with computers, I believe (as often the case with Dr. Phil) that only a feminine perspective was given to the issue and while the cases show a justification this can lead to adults seeing only evil in the incredible world of the internet and online games. Like comics, rock and roll, the transitor radio or any multitude of new technologies that hit the world at any time often the older population fear it, when they should embrace it.
