Social Games & AAC for Eye Gaze Users
Because eye gaze users should be playing too.
One of the biggest challenges that can come with a diagnosis is navigating communication differences in social situations. Our daughter, Ava, who has Rett syndrome, does not have verbal communication or functional hand use. She primarily uses an eye gaze device for communication instead.
Like many nonspeaking individuals, she also communicates through vocalizations, body language, facial expressions, and basic eye pointing with yes/no cards (using her eyes to make choices and share her thoughts).
Even though she doesn't use spoken words, our daughter does not lack cognitive ability or the desire to connect with others.
Getting social through games
Ava is incredibly social and loves being around other kids. The challenge is that her peers don't automatically know how to communicate with her. Learning to use an eye gaze device is a bit like learning a new language —even for adults. Something as simple as having a conversation or joining in on a game can take extra support.
Our family has discovered that games are one of the best ways for Ava to engage with peers through age-appropriate play. Games help other children see what we've always known: Ava is smart, capable, and can play just like any other kid.
Beyond creating opportunities for connection, games encourage turn-taking, problem-solving, critical thinking, and independence.
Sometimes all it takes is a little creativity and a remixed perspective. Here are a few ideas for creating fun, social game experiences using eye gaze and AAC:
Tic Tac Toe
Create a simple Tic Tac Toe board on your device and turn the live gaze “on” for the eye gaze user to make their move.
Using the Tic-Tac-Toe page on your loved one's AAC device, turn eye gaze visualization on so you can see the live gaze view. Ask them to select the space where they would like to place their X or O by looking at their chosen square. Mark the move on a separate dry-erase board so everyone can easily follow the game.
Would You Rather…?
Sample card sheet to create for “Would You Rather…”? Print and cut out pairs for one person to hold up for the eye gazer.
Would you rather go camping or stay in a hotel? Eat hamburgers or hot dogs? Visit the beach or the mountains?
This game is easy to customize based on the eye gaze user’s interests.
Print and laminate two choice cards for each question. A peer can hold up both options and waits for the player to eye point to their preferred choice. There are no wrong answers, and the conversations that follow often help players discover all of the fun things they have in common.
Sunshine Says
Let the eye-gazer take control as they instruct players what to do in this summertime rendition of “Simon Says”.
A favorite for indoor recess, "Sunshine Says" is a seasonal spin on “Simon Says” (try "Snowman Says" during the winter).
The eye gazer becomes the game leader by choosing the actions everyone else performs. Players should only complete an action if the direction begins with "Sunshine Says...".
Anyone who follows a command without hearing those words is out. The last player standing wins!
Go Fish!
Creating a “Go Fish” page for an eye gazer brings them into the game and encourages number recognition and fun sportsmanship.
This adapted version of the classic card game encourages number recognition, turn-taking, and even a little playful competition.
Plastic card holders can help players who need additional fine motor support, while AAC pages can be used for requesting cards or adding fun phrases like, "I'm going to win!"
Card holders can provide additional support for players needing fine motor assistance.
KerPlunk
In the traditional game, players remove sticks from a tube without letting the marbles fall. Since removing the sticks requires hand use, it's easy to adapt.
Attach laminated picture symbols to each stick using a hole punch. Then create a matching flipbook or photo album with the same symbols and give the eye gaze user two choices so they can eye point to the stick they want a helper to remove.
If using a high-tech AAC device, place all of the matching symbols on a single page for easy selection.
As players carefully remove sticks, anticipation builds until the marbles inevitably tumble down—a moment that's always exciting for everyone involved.
An adapted version of KerPlunk for eye gaze users without using tech.
Guess Who?
Guess Who is another great game that builds communication and reasoning skills with a little partner support. This is also great for modeling vocabulary on the device. Just as with the traditional character version, animal-themed cards can provide opportunities for learning.
We use several AAC pages, including pages categorized by "animal homes," "animal sounds," and "animal body parts," to ask questions. For example, if your loved one selects "wings," they may be asking, "Does your animal have wings?"
Players can answer verbally if able, or by using a partner assisted scan of yes/no.
For players who need a simpler version, create a page displaying only the same animals as on the game card. As each possibility is eliminated, players narrow down the choices until they identify the correct animal.
Guess Who? can help communication partners model common language, like animal homes or body parts, while engaging with eye gazers.
Does your family have a favorite adapted game? Share it with us!
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