Letters | Why Hong Kong should try online gaming to help special needs students grow and thrive

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Online games can help to improve cognitive skills such as attention and focus, spatial reasoning and visual processing, as well hand-eye coordination. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:10am, 27 Nov 2020Updated: 6:10am, 27 Nov 2020

I am writing in response to your report, “Esports transformed this Hong Kong teen with learning disabilities. Can education sector adopt online gaming?” (November 22).

The challenges faced by students with special education needs (SEN) – such as those with specific learning difficulties, autism spectrum disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, speech and language impairment or intellectual disability – have again come under the spotlight recently as schooling remains disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic. I am writing to share my reasons for supporting the adoption of online games to benefit those with moderate intellectual disability.

Many SEN students cannot remain seated in class and will keep fidgeting or fiddling with objects around them. Standard teaching methods will be of little help to them. Through online games, players can improve cognitive skills such as attention and focus, spatial reasoning, visual processing and develop enhanced mental rotation abilities. Video games can also enhance hand-eye coordination.

Visualising complex maps and quickly responding to obstacles is more than just fun. As the featured school in Sha Tin found, exposure to popular games such as Minecraft, Overwatch and Clash Royale during after-class training sessions helped students become more creative, self-disciplined and respectful to classmates.

This shows group participation in online gaming can foster the development of team spirit. Most SEN children show marked disabilities in social development, language communication and behaviour adjustment. As gaming is now largely a social activity and often includes team play, this interaction is good for them.