Wii - any good for dc with ASD and/or dyspraxia

[jomaman]

Hi,

I was just wondering if anyone would mind sharing experiences of using a Wii game console with their dc with SN?

Ds is 5 and has autism and probably dyspraxia, definitely low tone, and poor motor planning, struggles a lot with physical imitation and spatial awareness.

We are looking for a new way to get him moving more and become more aware of his whole body. A major problem is his lack of motivation.

It has been suggested that certain Wii games can be easy and really reinforcing and encourage movement.

Before I go and buy one I was just looking for any feedback... we already have a cupboard full of failed OT equipment/hoola hoops etc that I bought for similar reasons and have barely been used

Thanks in advance!

I think it depends what you're expecting of it.

Ds1 has ASD, hypotonia, some hypermobility, fine and gross motor issues and poor proprioception.

Ds2 has joint hypermobility syndrome, hypotonia and some issues around gross and fine motor issues and proprioception.

They had a Wii for Christmas.

In reality, a lot of the more popular games don't actually require them to move much - they can easily sit on the sofa and drive their mario kartz, for example.

You can however be selective and we have found that they move a lot more when playing Wii Sports, Wii Party and Guinness World Records. You can of course also buy the Wii Fit kit, which we plan to do sometime soonish and can buy games that incorporate the Wii Fit wobble board, such as ski, snowboard and skateboarding games, which are handy for balance practice.

I don't think the Wii could ever be described as 'exercise' exactly, unless you are concertedly doing the Wii Fit exercises, but I am impressed at how much my ds's control of their 'controllers' on the screen has improved since we got ours and do think it's helping, at least in some small way with at least their spatial awareness. I also prefer to see them on their feet waving their arms around than curled up in a ball or lying on their beds playing on their Nintendo DSi's.

It's never going to replace or even come close to a proper OT/exercise plan, but in terms of motivating a demotivated, struggling child to at least get up off the sofa and move themselves around a bit - yes, imho it's probably been worth it for my family.

We have just started doing this: www.autismandunderstanding.com/
It's hard work!
It's also helping me realise just what a basic level DS (5.11) is at and what I can expect him to do around the house. There's no special equipment needed, it's all very low tech gear.
But in answer to your actual question I'm afraid I don't know anything about wii.

We looked at the wii but bought a kinect x box. That works better for DS because many of the games have no controls at all, they play with their bodies and the sensor 'reads' it. It has got DS up and jumping about and I think it has improved his coordination. However, as zzzzz says, it is stimmy and repetitive, as any computer game is. We had the biggest melt down for years when he wouldn't get off it last week.

However, it is incredibly popular with the NT kids. So he now has a lot more interest from people wanting to come round and play. And he loves it so i now have some nrw currency So I would recommend the Kinect on a lot of levels, but you have to manage it carefully, and it's not a magic bullet.

Mine use it. It's fun but not exercise.

And they can get obsessed with it! I have real problems with that with them.

and they've smashed up a lot of controllers during meltdowns!

eye hand coordination, that sort of stuff - great for it.

There were some exercises I used to do with them. I can't for the life of me remember what it was called but it was a proper programme of specific poses. you should look into that.

Which I realise would be a lot more useful to you if I could remember what the bloody thing was called.

Thanks very much everybody - lots of food for thought! Need to sleep now but will have a look at kinect x box tomorrow.

Hecate, we are about to embark on a retained reflex type programme if that is what you did? Would love to know what it was if you felt it helped in some way.

In terms of getting him moving we are trying lots of other stuff too, and I know there are no magic bullets or shortcuts (unfortunately!) - we do OT strengthening exercises, plenty of walking, trampoline, but I just wanted to see if I could find something physical he would actually WANT to do...

Thanks again for all your advice!

DS got a second hand wii for Xmas. You can pick them up with a balance board and a few games for around £50 on ebay.

The balance board is good to put him on on bad weather days while I make tea, but I'm under no illusions it replaces his proper OT programme. Some of the excercises are very similar though and I tend to select those games for him to play. I do see it as a fun supplement though, and it's handy for play dates.

I use 1/2 hour on the wii every few days as a reward for having done his prescribed excercises to the best of his ability - it's a great motivator for a child that finds his daily therapy regime tough going sometimes. Injecting an element of fun is sometimes needed, and I think so long as you dn't spend too much its a valuable part of any reward system. The new wiiU is not so popular with OT's.

DS has dodgy balance and co-ordination but no strength issues. In many ways it's the lazy Mum's version of Simon says.

Mario is hidden in a cupboard and only comes out for play dates - too stimmy for everyday use imho but it's so popular with the NT kids that it gives them a common interest iykiwm if only taken out occasionally.

Our OT suggested that the yoga exercises on the wii fit board would be good for improving DS's core strenght. I haven't yet tried it despite having one. Am intending to do so though.