Engagement of games for students with special needs

by Janie Hohlt

While watching some of the Olympic events recently,  I realized just how compelling games can be. There I sat, a casual observer of the action, and yet the experience had an emotional appeal.

As an educator, I had to consider whether or not the engagement of games combined with the emotional appeal might help students with special needs. Thus I began an online search for an answer. I was pleased to find a wealth of information and studies that support the use of games for learning. One site in particular is worth sharing. Autism Games, www.autismgames.org is a well organized site, created by Tahirih Bushey, MA-CCC Speech Language Pathologist. On this site, Tahirih shares her techniques of using game play to help students with autism acquire oral language. In addition, Tahirih has included a collection of videos that highlight some of her popular techniques.

I was impressed by many of her videos, but one in particular touched my heart. It is a video named “Play Doh.” I encourage you to watch this video and listen to Tahirih as she playfully encourages a boy with autism to talk while he is engaged in playing a game.

Here is my all time favorite modeling dough recipe to use with students. Why go to the trouble of making the dough?

Cost!

- 1 c corn starch

- 2 c baking soda

- 1 ½ c cold water

In a medium saucepan, stir together corn starch and baking soda. Add water and stir until smooth. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly. The mix will come to a boil, and then start to thicken. Continue stirring until the mixture reaches the consistency of slightly dry mashed potatoes. Turn the mass onto a plate and cover with a damp cloth. When cool enough to handle, knead thoroughly on a corn starch dusted surface. Add in a little corn starch at a time until the mass becomes smooth and pliable.

If desired, add food coloring to create custom dough colors. Store in a tightly closed plastic bag. . . when not playing of course!

_________________________________________________________________________

Janie Holt

Janie Hohlt is a technology content director and product development specialist for PCI Education.  Hohlt has authored several other educational print and software programs for PCI, including the Basic Writing Series.  During her 20 years as a classroom educator, Hohlt taught at every grade level from kindergarten through sixth grade. She received the Superintendent’s Award four times while serving in a large urban school district in San Antonio, Texas.