News and Knowledge

This summer, the mobile app Pokémon GO has become an international sensation. The game utilizes GPS and augmented reality, meaning players use their phone cameras to see, catch, and train Pokémon in their real-world environment. In order to progress in the game, players have to physically travel around and find more Pokémon.

It is also causing a sensation in the autism community because of the possible benefits for people with autism. Professors James McPartland and Anne Kirby explained to New York Magazine that while people with autism often have trouble finding others who share their interests, Pokémon GO is an exception. It is popular with many people and serves as a . Erin Clemens, a woman on the autism spectrum and a contributor to The Mighty, echoes that the game has helped her overcome her social anxiety, writing, “I may never find Pikachu. But perhaps the game will help me find a new human friend.”

Parents have begun taking notice of the game’s positive impact on their children with autism. In an article published on The Mighty, Grace Grinnell explains how playing Pokémon GO helped her son with autism overcome anxiety about new things and places. She writes, “My child who hates to leave the house is asking to not only to leave it, but to walk.” Other parents have found the game encourages their children to socialize with other players, trading gameplay tips and rare Pokémon locations. In a post originally shared on Reddit, one parent was floored after watching her son bonding with others, sometimes even “total strangers,” over Pokémon GO.

In addition to autism parents and adults on the spectrum, teachers and autism experts have also noticed Pokémon GO’s potential to help those with ASD. Craig Smith, deputy principle of a specialized school for autism in Australia, told The Independent that he and many other teachers “believe schools must embrace the trend and find a way to turn it into a tool for learning.” In the article, Smith emphasizes the positive effects of integrating Pokémon GO into his classrooms, “For many of the children I teach it’s hard to engage in social activities… But what we’re seeing with the Pokémon craze is the same students making conversation and engaging in social activities.” The Independent also reports that after seeing the game’s impact on his students, Smith developed an iTunes U course that outlines strategies for parents and educators utilizing Pokémon GO to teach interpersonal skills to children and young adults with autism.

With summer ending and students swapping their smartphones for binders, could schools incorporate Pokémon GO into lessons for children and teens on the autism spectrum? The concept seems to have potential, but amid reports of inattentive players injuring themselves, Kristine Kim of Education Week Teacher reminds parents and teachers to supervise any children playing Pokémon GO and ensure their physical safety.