games for autism reversal

Carrom is actually a quiet superhero of a game for autistic kids and adults 🙂
It looks simple, but it hits a lot of important developmental goals without feeling like “therapy”.

Here’s how it helps, broken down clearly:

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🧠 Cognitive & Thinking Skills

• Planning & sequencing – deciding which coin to hit first, where to place the striker

• Cause–effect understanding – angle, force, and outcome become very concrete

• Problem solving – “That didn’t work, let me try a different way”

Great for kids who struggle with flexible thinking.

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✋ Motor & Coordination Skills

• Fine motor control – finger positioning, controlled flicking

• Hand–eye coordination – tracking the coin and striker

• Bilateral coordination – stabilizing with one hand, shooting with the other

For adults too, this helps maintain dexterity and precision.

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🧍 Sensory Regulation

• Predictable movements

• Smooth, repetitive actions

• Minimal noise compared to video games or outdoor sports

➡️ Very calming for children with sensory sensitivity or hyperactivity.

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⏳ Attention & Impulse Control

• Waiting for turn

• Holding position

• Controlling force instead of impulsive hitting

This is excellent for ADHD + autism overlap.

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🗣️ Social & Communication Skills

When played with others:

• Turn-taking

• Following rules

• Accepting wins/losses

• Natural opportunities for communication (“Your turn”, “Try again”)

For non-verbal or minimally verbal kids, shared attention improves even without speech.

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😊 Emotional Regulation & Confidence

• Clear success = coin goes in pocket 🎯

• Immediate feedback builds self-esteem

• Teaches frustration tolerance gently

Many autistic adults enjoy it because it’s skill-based, not socially overwhelming.

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👨‍👩‍👧 Therapeutic Use (Practical Tips)

• Start with no rules, just pocketing coins

• Gradually introduce turns and rules

• Use verbal cues → then reduce them

• Play in short sessions (10–15 mins)

Carrom works beautifully in:

• Occupational therapy

• Home-based intervention

• Inclusive play with siblings

Bottom line

Carrom supports:
✔ focus
✔ coordination
✔ emotional control
✔ social skills
✔ confidence

…and most importantly, it feels like play, not therapy.

dr kondekar