Integration of Gamification for Individuals on the Autism Spectrum – A Review of Literature

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by persistent challenges in communication, social interaction, and behavior regulation. Traditional therapeutic models often fall short in addressing the diverse needs of autistic individuals, prompting exploration of alternative approaches. Gamification—the integration of game design elements into non-game settings—has emerged as a promising method to engage individuals with ASD in therapeutic and educational contexts. This systematic review synthesizes findings from five empirical studies using gamified interventions designed to improve communication, engagement, and social interaction among children and adolescents with ASD. The interventions evaluated include tablet-based language tools, augmented reality applications, and collaborative virtual environments. Across these studies, gamified designs were associated with increased task motivation, symbolic understanding, verbal expression, and collaborative behavior. While outcomes were broadly positive, methodological limitations remain. Small sample sizes, short intervention durations, and varied outcome metrics limit generalizability. Furthermore, longitudinal data is lacking, and few studies address real-world implementation challenges. This review highlights gamification as a powerful tool for autism intervention when grounded in visual structure, adaptive feedback, and user-centered design. Further research is needed to standardize evaluation methods, expand accessibility, and support long-term application.