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Abstract
This study examined the relationship between using videogames as an intervention tool and life skills improvement of children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Not enough is known about interventions to improve life skills of children with ASD, specifically cooking skills, and videogames. In an attempt to answer the research questions identified through the literature reviewed, this study tested the following research hypotheses: 1) There will be a significant effect using videogames as an intervention tool to improve culinary life skills of children with ASD. 2) Children with ASD who play the videogame Cooking Mama Cook Off will improve their culinary skills.
This study used a single-subject design approach, conducted in the participants' home environment. Participants attended videogame play sessions and played a cooking simulation game, Cooking Mama Cook Off, for 10 sessions. Participants' real life culinary skills were tested with three baking sessions. A pretest, re-test, and post-test were used to determine improvement in cooking skills. Results of the study showed that use of videogames as an intervention tool positively affected the culinary life skills of the two children with ASD, and the participants with ASD who played the videogame Cooking Mama Cook Off improved their culinary skills.
