Will using a Nintendo Wii have
an affect on the fitness, social
skills and behaviour of Autistic
Spectrum Disorder Children?
Kath Dickinson
Supervisor Joanna Reynolds
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
Northumbria University
Kathleen.dickinson@northumbria.ac.uk
Background – Why?
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MA study Mainstream Asperger boys with a
computer interest.
In the UK research evidence suggests that
children are becoming obese at an increased
rate and at an earlier age than ever before.
Every year the number of children diagnosed
as being on the Autistic Spectrum Continuum
continues to rise (now between 1 in 5 and 1
in 8).
Triad of impairments.
Social
impairmentsimprovement of
social interaction,
mainstream
activity.
Communicationforced
Learning stylesvisual, non human
Behaviourresearch has
shown that some
physical traditional
types of physical
activity can reduce
stereotyped
behaviours and
outbursts. (Kern,
Koegel,Dunlap
1984)
Aims and objectives
To explore the fitness levels and social skills of Autistic
children and investigate whether they can be altered
through the use of a Nintendo Wii gaming machine.
 Objective (1) to investigate any changes in fitness
levels.
 Objective (2) to investigate any changes in social
interaction.
 Objective (3) to investigate any changes in crisis
behaviour.
 Objective (4) to investigate any transference of social
skills to other areas of life.
Intervention
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Ran for 1 academic year.
100 children from state SEN schools all children
have ASD, Language & Communication
impairments, Severe to Moderate learning
impairments and behavioural issues.
Aged between 8 and 16 years (Total males 79 = 39 in
intervention 40 in non intervention females 21= intervention
11 and 10 non intervention.).
Used the Wii 3 to 5 times per week for 15 to 30
minutes.
Completed pre and post intervention testing.
Method
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Experimental mixed methods design.
Quantitative data- collection of base line
fitness information and end fitness
levels.
Qualitative data- used to collect
information on behaviour changes,
social changes and transference skills.
Primary data collection
Selected from the Eurofitness Testing Battery & FitnessGram (USA) (tests
to be streamlined for full study)
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BMI
Multi stage fitness test (Bleep test) PACER
test (Progressive aerobic cardiovascular
endurance run)
10x5m shuttle run
standing long jump
Sit and reach flexibility test
Sit up test (30 seconds)
Secondary Data collection
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Faces IV (parents)
Parental Stress Index
Sue Spence Social Skills test (staff)
Staff observation and questionnaire.
Video collection.
Observation of social interaction (eye
contact, social space, number of
exchanges)
Issues
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Getting the children to participate.
Matching the groups.
Using mixed methods.
No information from the children.
How to analyse the video evidence.
No norms for SEN or ASD children.
Results
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Preliminary results indicate that there
are significant changes in the BMI and
fitness levels of the children taking part
in the intervention when compared to
the control group in all aspects except
flexibility.
Results
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Staff have noted observable changes in
social behaviour which included
Friendships, ability to initiate a
conversation, willingness to join in
activities, approaching others with
requests, engaging and disengaging
eye contact.
Findings
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Conclusion: Preliminary results
suggest that benefits in fitness,
participation and social skills may be
gained from using the Nintendo Wii
with a group of autistic children with ID.