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Abstract

This mixed methods paper reports fndings from three studies examining the overlap between autism and hobbyist boardgaming. The frst was a quantitative survey of over 1600 board gamers, showing that autistic individuals are overrepresentedin this hobby compared to the general population and that autistic traits measured by the AQ are signifcantly elevatedamongst board gamers. Study 1 also assessed gamers’ motivations and preferences and reported key diferences as wellas similarities between autistic and non-autistic gamers. The second was a qualitative study that reported the results of 13interviews with autistic individuals who are hobbyist board gamers. Using Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis (IPA),four key themes were uncovered, including a preference for systemising, escapism and passions, the social lubrication efectof games and difculties with deception. In the third, 28 autistic individuals were introduced to board games in groups of5–10 over an afternoon. Subsequent focus groups were then analysed using IPA. This analysis uncovered themes around howboard games are challenging but encouraged growth and how they were an alternative vehicle for forging social relationships.Through this paper, we discuss how and why board games may be a popular hobby amongst the autistic population, and itspotential utility for improving autistic wellbeing.

DOI

10.1007/s10803-024-06408-0

Publication Date

2024-07-05

Publication Title

Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders

ISSN

0162-3257

Organisational Unit

School of Psychology

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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