A physical therapist at the University of Delaware is reporting in the journal Acta Paediatrica that she's found a promising new intervention for children with autism: video games.
In her Move to 2 Learn Innovation Lab, Anjana Bhat has been using the Nintendo Switch's motion-sensitive controllers to help kids with autism move their arms and legs more, as well as improve their balance and self-esteem, reports the News Journal.
"Children love video games, and they're fun, but there's also evidence that video games with exercise have positive effects on cognition and general physical activity levels," Bhat says in a press release.
"Across the board, this tool is far more engaging than any other tool we've used before, including music and movement, so this is one place where children with autism excel."
Bhat used the Nintendo Switch's motion controllers to help Reed, a 10-year-old autistic boy, move his arms and legs more, as well as improve his balance and self-esteem.
She tells the News Journal it's the first time she's used exergaming to help kids with autism.
Exergaming has been studied in healthy children, but this is the first time it's been used to help kids with autism.
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