Board Games for Autistic Adults: Fun, Connection, and Growth

2. Encouraging Emotional Regulation

Autistic individuals often face challenges when it comes to managing their emotions, especially in the face of stress or unexpected outcomes. Board games, particularly those with an element of unpredictability, can help improve emotional regulation by teaching how to cope with wins, losses, and setbacks.

Many board games involve situations where players may lose a turn, face unexpected challenges, or deal with random events. For example, in Uno, players can be handed an unexpected reverse card or wild card that changes the direction of the game. These small disruptions help players practice managing frustration or excitement, which are emotions that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

By learning how to stay calm during these moments, autistic adults can gradually improve their emotional regulation skills in real-world situations. Furthermore, games that incorporate cooperative play—such as The Game of Life or Qwirkle—encourage individuals to focus on collective success rather than individual competition, helping to reduce stress or anxiety associated with the competitive nature of some games.

3. Promoting Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Many board games require strategic thinking and problem-solving, skills that are crucial for daily life. Games like Settlers of Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Clue encourage players to think critically about their moves, consider various possibilities, and weigh risks and rewards. These types of games promote cognitive flexibility by forcing players to think ahead and adapt to the changing dynamics of the game.

For autistic adults, engaging in these types of activities not only helps improve decision-making abilities but also encourages the development of strategies for approaching real-life challenges. The problem-solving aspects of these games can be especially beneficial for those who find themselves easily overwhelmed by complex tasks, as the games break down larger problems into smaller, more manageable pieces.

Additionally, these games often involve long-term planning, which helps individuals practice patience and perseverance. For example, Catan requires players to manage resources and build structures over several turns, teaching the value of planning ahead and considering future consequences before taking action.

4. Enhancing Sensory Integration

Many autistic individuals experience heightened or diminished sensitivity to sensory stimuli, which can lead to sensory overload in busy or chaotic environments. Board games, particularly those with tactile or visual components, can be a useful tool for managing sensory needs in a controlled setting.

For example, games like Qwirkle or Jenga use textured pieces and visually stimulating patterns that can engage players' senses in a way that’s not overwhelming. These sensory-friendly elements can help individuals practice processing different sensory inputs without feeling overstimulated. The repetition and predictability of the game environment can also provide comfort to players who are sensitive to sudden changes or unexpected stimuli.

Games with clear visual aids or color-coded pieces, such as Connect Four or Spot It!, offer engaging experiences that can help with visuall tracking, hand-eye coordination, and sensory integration in a safe and structured way.

5. Boosting Self-Esteem and Confidence

Completing a game, mastering a new strategy, or successfully achieving a goal provides a sense of accomplishment. For autistic adults, these small victories can be incredibly empowering, as they build self-esteem and confidence. In particular, games that involve cooperative play or problem-solving help individuals feel supported and connected with others, reinforcing the importance of teamwork and collaboration.

Games that reward players for perseverance or skill—such as Scrabble or Codenames—foster a sense of achievement and boost self-confidence. These rewards encourage individuals to engage in future challenges, enhancing their willingness to try new things and take on new experiences.

The Best Board Games for Autistic Adults

Here’s a curated list of some of the best board games for autistic adults, designed to promote social interaction, critical thinking, and emotional regulation. These games are accessible, enjoyable, and beneficial for enhancing developmental skills.

Games That Enhance Social Skills

1. Dixit
A storytelling game that uses beautifully illustrated cards to encourage creativity and communication. Players take turns describing a card with a word or phrase, and others guess which card it is. This game helps players practice interpreting abstract ideas, listening, and expressing their thoughts.

2. Apples to Apples
This word-association game is fantastic for improving verbal communication. Players match noun cards to adjective cards, and a judge determines the best pair. The game is lighthearted, encouraging players to practice social interaction while having fun.

3. Codenames
This word game requires players to give one-word clues to help their team guess the correct words on the board. It enhances teamwork, collaboration, and creative communication, making it an excellent choice for social development.

Games for Emotional Regulation

1. Jenga
A game of physical and emotional balance, Jenga requires players to remove wooden blocks from a tower without toppling it. The tactile nature of the game helps build focus, while the anticipation of the tower collapsing teaches how to manage frustration.

2. Uno
A card game with simple rules that incorporates an element of unpredictability. The fast pace and occasional surprises (such as a Wild Card) teach players how to cope with unexpected challenges and keep their emotions in check.

3. Sorry!
This classic game is all about moving pieces around the board while dealing with unexpected twists. It’s a great tool for teaching patience, how to handle setbacks, and how to experience both success and failure gracefully.

Strategy and Problem-Solving Games

1. Settlers of Catan
One of the most popular strategy games, Catan involves resource management, negotiation, and planning. Players trade resources and build settlements to earn points. The game requires long-term thinking, adaptability, and collaboration, which are key skills for daily life.

2. Ticket to Ride
A visually stimulating game where players build railways across a map of the United States (or other regions). This game combines planning with spatial awareness and critical thinking, making it a great choice for improving cognitive skills.

3. Clue
A classic detective game that involves solving a mystery. Players must use logic and deduction to figure out who committed the crime, where it happened, and with what weapon. The game enhances critical thinking and reasoning skills.

Sensory-Friendly Games

1. Qwirkle
A tactile and visual game where players match tiles based on shapes and colors. Qwirkle is easy to learn, and its colorful tiles can be visually stimulating without being overwhelming. It’s an excellent game for improving pattern recognition and sensory integration.

2. Connect Four
A simple yet engaging game where players drop colored discs into a grid. Connect Four helps with visual tracking, hand-eye coordination, and strategic thinking—all while offering sensory-friendly tactile engagement.

3. Spot It!
A fast-paced card game that encourages visual recognition and reaction time. Spot It! is great for sensory engagement, with its quick gameplay and colorful, attention-grabbing cards.

How to Choose the Right Board Game for Autistic Adults

Selecting the right board game involves considering the individual’s unique preferences and needs. Here are some tips to help guide your decision:

Consider the Individual’s Interests

Look for games that match the person’s interests. Someone who enjoys strategy might thrive with Settlers of Catan or Ticket to Ride, while a person who enjoys creativity might find Dixit more appealing.

Focus on Simplicity and Gradual Complexity

Start with simple games that are easy to learn. Gradually introduce more complex games as the person becomes more comfortable and confident. This approach helps to prevent frustration and allows for positive experiences.

Adapt Games for Individual Needs

Many games can be modified to suit an individual’s abilities. Adjusting the time limits, simplifying rules, or even providing additional visual cues can make the game more accessible. Always ensure the game experience is enjoyable and stress-free.

Practical Tips for Playing Board Games with Autistic Adults

Set Clear Expectations

Before starting a game, explain the rules and objectives clearly. Use visual aids or written instructions to ensure the person understands how to play.

Create a Positive, Supportive Environment

Maintain a positive atmosphere where mistakes are welcomed as part of the learning process. Reinforce efforts, and celebrate small victories to build self-esteem and confidence.

Allow Time for Breaks

If the game becomes overwhelming, encourage breaks to help manage sensory overload or emotional frustration. Offering these breaks can help ensure the individual remains engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Conclusion

Board games provide more than just entertainment for autistic adults—they are powerful tools for developing crucial life skills. Whether it’s fostering communication, emotional regulation, problem-solving, or social interaction, board games offer a structured and enjoyable way to support personal growth.

If you’re looking for additional support in helping individuals on the autism spectrum build skills, Blue Jay ABA offers tailored ABA therapy services in North Carolina. Our specialized programs help individuals develop the skills they need to thrive in their personal and social lives. Contact Blue Jay ABA today to learn more about our services and how we can support your family on their journey toward growth and connection.

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