Your cart is currently empty!
Mom Shares Heartwarming Post About Pokémon Go: ‘My Autistic Child Is Engaging with Others’
Meet Clara Thompson, who recently opened up about how her son, Jamie, diagnosed with hyperlexia and autism at the tender age of two, has blossomed since they started playing Pokémon Go together. “Tonight, I finally introduced Jamie to Pokémon Go… and let me tell you, it’s INCREDIBLE!” Clara shared. “After he caught his first Pokémon at the local bakery, he was jumping for joy. He bolted outside to catch more. A little boy spotted him and instantly recognized the excitement—they had something in common!”
Clara explained to KidSpot, “Jamie does make eye contact with certain people he feels comfortable with. But when it comes to strangers? Not so much. Kids he doesn’t know? Almost never! But when he’s immersed in Pokémon Go, his typical rules seem to vanish.”
Not only has the game encouraged Jamie to be more social, but it also nudged him out of his usual rigid routine. A family friend mentioned the Pokémon sightings at the nearby playground, and surprisingly, Jamie insisted they go. “He NEVER wants to go to the playground at night because it’s outside of his usual schedule,” Clara wrote. “He’s usually so strict about his routine, but tonight he was thrilled to switch things up, and we were left speechless!”
Once they arrived at the playground, Clara was astonished to see Jamie interacting with other kids right away. “He was actually engaging with other children. I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry,” she recounted. “Even adults were on the hunt for Pokémon, and these complete strangers were cheering him on with tips like, ‘There’s one just around the corner, buddy! Go get it!’ And he would dash off laughing, looking back to say ‘THANK YOU!’ Wow!!!!”
Since diving into the game, Jamie has even become more outgoing in everyday situations. Clara recounted a moment at the pharmacy when Jamie spoke to their pharmacist about his new favorite game. “The pharmacist leaned in and shared, ‘That’s the most he has ever said to me… ever! And I’ve known him since he was a baby’,” she said.
While many have voiced complaints about the game, Clara’s story shows that it can have a positive impact. “My autistic child is socializing. He’s talking, smiling, interacting with people—even strangers! He’s verbalizing, engaging in pragmatic speech, and sharing a common interest. This is just AMAZING!”
If you’re interested in learning more about pregnancy and home insemination, check out this excellent resource from the NIH. For more insights on at-home insemination kits, visit Make A Mom.
In summary, Clara’s experience with Pokémon Go highlights the unexpected benefits of gaming in fostering social skills and breaking routines for children with autism.