Therapeutically applied Minecraft groups with neurodivergent youth.

Autor:	Kilmer E; Take This, Seattle, WA, USA.; Game to Grow, Seattle, Washington, 98125, USA., Spangler J; Game to Grow, Seattle, Washington, 98125, USA.; Antioch University, Seattle, WA, 98121, USA., Kilmer J; Game to Grow, Seattle, Washington, 98125, USA.
Jazyk:	angličtina
Zdroj:	F1000Research [F1000Res] 2023 Nov 20; Vol. 12, pp. 216. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 20 (Print Publication: 2023).
DOI:	10.12688/f1000research.129090.2
Abstrakt:	Background: Therapeutically applied Minecraft groups are an intervention designed to support social engagement, confidence, and competence in youth. The flexible interaction format and use of a popular digital game support the fit of this intervention for use with neurodivergent youth. Minecraft is leveraged to support opportunities to build authentic relationships and social confidence in an engaging, low-stakes environment with peers. The group format allows for real-world social practice with peers, while the game environment can support motivation to interact with others, and provides multiple modes for such interaction (i.e., chat, building/movement with the avatar). Methods: This article outlines the theoretical foundations of therapeutically applied Minecraft groups as well as practical considerations for implementation. The method outlined includes the justification for this method, process of creating support groups, check-in and check-out processes, and in-game activity examples for different situations. Use Cases: Use cases are included to illustrate how the methods have been used in the past to support social growth with neurodivergent youth. Use cases include examples of different Minecraft servers, such as the habitat, and identifying stresses of social growth such as school anxiety and how the use of therapeutically applied Minecraft helped. Conclusions: Therapeutically applied Minecraft groups can provide opportunities for peer connection and social practice in a facilitated environment. Though the use of Minecraft and other games to support learning and social connection is prevalent in the media, the academic research in this area is sparse. This article provides an example of Minecraft in use in a therapeutic context and calls for more formal research in this area of therapeutically applied games. Competing Interests: Competing interests: At the time of writing, all three authors were employed by Game to Grow, a nonprofit organization that uses Therapeutically Applied Minecraft groups with participants and provides training on the use of the groups. Neither Elizabeth Kilmer nor Jared Kilmer are still employed by this organization. (Copyright: © 2023 Kilmer E et al.)
Databáze:	MEDLINE
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