We Love The Vidya

What I'm about to say isn't in the least bit scientific:

Everyone I know with autism loves video games.

Granted, it's a small sample size. I even asked this question to an autism group I belong to on Facebook, and was surprised that more people weren't fans of video games. I'm not sure what those folks were into, and I probably should have asked.

I have been a fan of video games for a long, long time. When the Atari 2600 came out, we had one. Once I was in the Navy, I had an original Nintendo Entertainment System, and over the years went through an original PlayStation, Xbox, PS2, Xbox 360, PS3, and now, Xbox One. I have a laptop that I can game on, but it's not particularly powerful, so the bulk of my gaming is done on the Xbox One.

For me, the world of video games is something I can control, you know? I feel like I have some power over what happens. With autism -- and in the "real" world -- I don't always feel like I have control over what is happening. I can get overstimulated in social situations, and find myself retreating inward due to being uncomfortable.

With video games, I can feel free, in a way. Through my onscreen avatar, I have some agency over what happens and how I overcome challenges and obstacles.

I'm sure other folks with autism have discovered ways where they feel in control. I do when I'm working on a book, or some other project involving writing. Same goes for photography. Behind the camera, I guess I don't feel as lost as I do making my way through the world. I can capture the world I see, and manipulate the outcome in a way that I find intriguing, or even beautiful.

Maybe sometime soon I'll ask my autism group what things they do to feel in control of their worlds, and share it on this blog.

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