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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/10791/333

Title: HOW ADULTS WITH HIGH FUNCTIONING AUTISM EXPERIENCE AND UNDERSTAND LEARNING IN A MMO GAME
Authors: Archibald, Gaylyne
Supervisor(s): Dr. Cynthia Blodgett-Griffin (FHSS Centre for Distance Education, Athabasca University)
Examining Committee: Dr. Pamela Walsh (Internal), Athabasca University, Dr. Linda Chmiliar (External), Athabasca University
Degree: M.Ed.(DE)
Department: Centre for Distance Education
Keywords: Autism
Adults with High Functioning Autism
MMO Game
Communication
Online Gaming
Issue Date: 6-Aug-2020
Abstract: This qualitative phenomenological study investigated a gap in the literature on adults with high functioning autism (HFA) and whether, or how, communication skills are strengthened or learned by playing MMORPG and MMO games. These games require players to communicate through: team playing, collaborating, trading, strategizing, socializing, competition, overcoming obstacles, and building empires. In the gaming culture, however, when players do not communicate effectively while playing, they are often ignored or excluded from group play. Through multiple perspectives from adults with HFA, four key themes emerged: transfer of information focused on the why, how, and who HFA gamers interacted with; description of game players involved real players and non-player characters; dislikes involved the gaming industry and other gamers; and self-barriers demonstrated self-awareness of the participants’ own deficits due to their autism. Overall findings report that adults with HFA who played MMORPGs and MMO games strengthened their communication skills.
Graduation Date: Jul-2020
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/10791/333
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