Get Them Unplugged

• July 24, 2022
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Throughout my 25+ years of teaching neurodiverse students, I found games where their talents shine. Most of the games listed below are games that use strategy. Since preschool, these students have been using strategies to survive in school systems where they do not fit. Play these games with them many times to see how quickly their out-of-the-box strategic thinking creates a winning strategy. These games help them understand and appreciate their unique way of thinking as an asset.

In addition, some games help them develop skills.

Othello: There are different suppliers of this game. I like this one because the magnets keep the pieces in place.

Connect 4

Mancala

Quoridor

Blockus

Checkers

Hoot Owl Hoot requires players to work together to get the owls home before the sun rises, developing teamwork, strategy, and social skills. Peaceable Kingdom Games has several cooperative games.

Shut the Box supports students in developing addition skills.

Tell a Tale develops storytelling skills. Support their learning by reminding them every story has a beginning, middle, and end. Have them repeat the part of the story added by the last card played before putting down their card to support them. Great Travel Game

Spot It is not a strategy game; it is a great game to develop focus and attention to visual detail. Great Travel Game

Otrio is a 3-D version of Tick-Tack-Toe, it is amazingly tricky, and develops strategic thinking and executive functioning.

Two of my favorite suppliers for games are Gigamic Games and Peaceable Kingdom Games. They have lots of strategic and cooperative games.