Glow Spotters

Autism Strengths & Interests

Short Summary of Strengths & Interests

• Addition
• Spatial reasoning
• Flexible thinking

Is good at matching visual items

This game is not appropriate

Has a good memory for sensory details, including visual, touch, taste and smell

Is This Game Appropriate? No

Description
Players need to manipulate visual details to orient tiles into the spaces.

Has a good memory for words, phrases and dialouge

Is This Game Appropriate? No

Description
Memory for words, phrases, or dialogue is not needed in Glow Spotters.

Has a good memory for pictures, numbers and patterns

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Players need to remember the number on the die and look for a tile that has that number in a pattern they can play on their boards. They also need to be able to think about what that tile pattern would look like in a different orientation.

Likes to put things in order or a sequence

Is This Game Appropriate? No

Description
Although there is no ordering of items in the game, there is a sequence of actions: rolling the die, looking for the tiles with the number of Glow dots indicated on the die, then placing the tile on one of their boards so it fits the spaces available.

Learns through visualizing or "replaying" actions in their mind

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Visualizing is important in Glow Spotters, as players have to be able to visualize what the various tiles would look like if rotated and placed on their boards.

Likes activities with rules, such as math and phonics

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Simple addition is needed in the game.

Is very concrete and literal

Is This Game Appropriate? No

Description
The game requires abstract thinking about the orientation of objects in space. If children have difficulty with this, they could be allowed to use the tile pieces to try different orientations on their boards with concrete manipulation.

Learns in small "chunks" (for example, phone numbers are 3 chunks of number xxx-xxx-xxxx that are combined together)

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Each of the tiles contains a "chunk" of numbers that children need to mentally manipulate to determine the total number without counting with their fingers.

Is good at nonverbal reasoning and logic

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Glow Spotters requires nonverbal reasoning about which shapes will fit into specific spaces on their boards. When the players throws the Firefly on the die, it enables them to select which number and tile they want, and other players must follow with the same number. This allows players to reason about which number will most help themselves or hinder others.

Likes spatial problem solving

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Glow Spotters is a great game for spatial problem solving. It is the basis of the game. It helps players think about how different tiles or tile orientations may work in a specific space. If children like puzzles, they will likely love Glow Spotters.

Can read well with good vocabulary, though may not fully comprehend content

Is This Game Appropriate? No

Description
Reading is not needed for playing Glow Spotters.

Likes to use and has good fine motor skill

Is This Game Appropriate? Yes

Description
Players need to orient pieces on the boards, which requires fine motor skills, but precision is not needed. Other players can assist if needed.

Likes established routines or set ways of doing things

Is This Game Appropriate? No

Description
The routine of game play is the same with each turn, but players use different tiles and placements with each turn. Decision-making about options is important in Glow Spotters.

Likes manipulating, constructing or building things

Is This Game Appropriate? No

Description
Manipulation of tiles is important, but no construction is involved.

Likes to use and has good musical abilities

This game is not appropriate

Likes to use and has good drawing skills

This game is not appropriate

Autism Special Considerations

Appears to ignore other's communication and/or has difficulty giving eye contact to a communication partner

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
The child does not need to listen to others' conversation to play Glow Spotters. Players do need to pay attention to their own board and the Glow Tiles left on the board to be able to choose a tile that will fit on one of the boards. Other players can point to the color of the pieces that the child needs to pay attention to.

Has difficulty understanding complex verbal directions

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Use the Reference Guide to demonstrate what each of the colors mean in relation to number. Before playing the game, walk the child through how to use the dice, choose a tile based on his boards, and lay it down. This will help the child learn the pattern of play.

Uses vocabulary inaccurately or demonstrates echolalia (repeating another's speech)

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Repetition of others should not interfere with the game play, but if other players are distracted by echolalia, give the child a fidget toy to play with until his turn. Imitation of others' words during play may actually help the child understand what is being done, as long as the child is paying attention to what is happening in the game.

Gets stuck repeating a verbal topic or physical actions and/or has difficulty attending to others' actions or topic.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Children can best play the game if they watch the other players' moves, so they understand the remaining options for tile choices and can try to plan future moves. Adults can help by helping the child look at their boards and identify different tiles that would work in their remaining spaces.

Has difficulty producing speech/communication

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
At the end of a round, the winner is supposed to say aloud the numbers that add up to the total on his board. If the child is nonverbal or has difficulty speaking, encourage the child to use fingers to show the numbers in sequence and the total.

Has difficulty sequencing multi-step actions and/or doing complex abstract tasks

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
There are only three steps in a turn, throwing the die, picking a tile with the same number of spaces as is indicated on the die in a shape that will fit on one of their boards, and placing it in the correct orientation. The child may need step-by-step assistance for a few turns until the pattern of play is understood. The routine of play is the same for every turn, so that should make the child with autism more comfortable. The child may need a reminder to look at both boards for the best place to place a tile.

Demonstrates difficulty initiating and maintaining social interactions

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Social interactions are not needed in the game, but adults can model commenting on others' plays. Comment on tile choices, "That's a great choice! It fits right in there!"

Acts out or demonstrates avoidance behaviors when frustrated, overwhelmed, or needs more sensory input.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
If the game is too frustrating for one child, play as partners. Tiles are picked together and placement is discussed so the child is successful. Fidget toys between the child's turns may also help the child self calm.

Has short attention span for non-preferred activities

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? No

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Many children with autism like activities involving spatial relations such as puzzles or building toys. This type of game may be a good match. If the child does not like board games, playing as partners may be a way to demonstrate that the game is fun.

Needs sameness or consistent routines and/or has difficulty with transitions from one activity to another

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Each turn in Glow Spotters is played the same way, so it is consistent. This should feel predictable to the child. If moving from one activity to another is a problem, motivate the child by "finding" a piece of the game and having the child help you discover where the game is located. Once "found" the child may be motivated to play it.

Has difficulty understanding others' feelings, intentions, and the reasons for others' actions.

Is This Game Appropriate for Child with Characteristic? Yes

Can Child with Characteristic Play Game w/o Modification? Yes

Strategies for Developing Compensatory Skills:
Children don't have to understand others' feelings to play Glow Spotters. Other players, however, can support understanding by saying how they feel when they win a round, can't role the needed number on the die, or can't find the right shaped tile they need for their board.