DISCUSSION - People with Special Needs and Webkinz

[Sunnygirl]

I think this is an AWESOME idea!! Kudos to you!

[Electrabuzz1]

I was thinking today about all the ways that Webkinz has benefited my Autistic son. Playing in the Webkinz world has helped him gain greater confidence on the computer. For a boy who will never be able to write with ease computers are an important part of his communication agenda.

He loves to navigate around Webkinz world. Although the employment jobs are too difficult for him he does make sure to remind me to do the jobs each day - twice. He loves to decorate his rooms. He understands that he needs to make money to buy things to decorate. We are working on the concept of saving.

WW is a great place to try new things. He is venturing onto new games and learning that to practice means to improve. He has made a new friend (Thank You Little Dog).

My son is very diligent about caring for his Webbies. He gets them up in the morning before school and plays with them in the evening before putting them back to bed. He loves to go on vacation and to send postcards. He loves to drive around in his Firetruck. I think a firehall would be a cool room theme.

I always keep packs of trading cards around for difficult days. They can be used as rewards, to diffuse a difficult situation, or sometimes just to show love. I always pick up a bunch when they are on sale. Our local Hallmark had them 1/2 price this week.

Webkinz is something fun that we can do together or that he can do independently.

I would love to hear stories about how other Special Needs kids benefit from Webkinz World.

[aces1820]

I agree with the person who mentioned the fashion and or cooking challenge games when they are working (I haven't been to the tournament area lately, so I hope they are still there) because you just have to select from the objects they give you and not a lot of complex thinking is required.
If there weren't so many screens to click through, the calendars on Quizzys could be fun because even if the child can't read/understand the question, when the questions go away they uncover more of the picture. I do wish questions on Quizzys didn't require all the "yes I want to proceed to the next question" and "yes I am ready to answer this question" it even takes away from my attention span.
I haven't played Go Fish lately, but I remember that it was a matter of clicking on the card and the game would take care of the rest. However, the child may get upset if the opponent fishes away a card of theirs...

[NZfunnybones]

My daughter as low platelet count & chronic fatigue syndrome so she loves going to webkinz when she is having a tired day

[amandainohio24]

My son is a high functioning autistic child and he is able to play cash cow without too much help. It took awhile for him to understand what he had to do but now he needs no help playing it. As for saving his KC that does not ever happen. As soon as he gets some it is spent. I do not allow him to go into the trading room either, none of my children are allowed to though.

[brekt2002]

My son has severe Cerebal Palsey and a siezure disorder and absolutly adores webkinz enen though there isn't a whole lot he can do on his own because of his physical limitations. He has a special button switch that plugs into a mouse that I use. Basically I move the mouse and he clicks using the button switch. You should have seen us trying to catch leaves it was hilarious! Basically he does dailies, Helps decide how to decorate rooms, and used to play the cooking challenge and supermodelz but those disapeared. Anything else in webkinz world moves to fast for him to see. I always make sure I'm managing his account so he doesnt miss a thing but I wish there were more he could do on his own. He gets a new webbie everytime he cooperates well with his physical thereapist and a pack of trading cards or figurine when he does his PT homework without complaint.(This has gotten very expensive but it works and has made him more positive about PT so it's worth it) Thank you for starting this thread!

[LuvMyKids]

My son has autism, higher functioning. Granted there are a few things that he can't do on WW...but he does learn how to take care of his pet, which in turn helps him to learn how to take care of himself (bathe, brush teeth, get dressed and put things away). In my opinion, I think those are more important for him to know, just in case I am not around to help him someday. Before his Grandma introduced him to WW, he had NO interest in doing those things at all. In my opinion....GAMES are just a bonus!

Plus I am hoping that this will help him learn the value of money (I think that's going to take awhile!), but he knows he has to go to the store and get things for his pets to eat.

And the one thing that I LOVE about WW is that I know it is safe for him to play on without being taken advantage of (have not and probably will never intoduce him to the clubhouse).

[Zooz]

Originally Posted by brekt2002

My son has severe Cerebal Palsey and a siezure disorder and absolutly adores webkinz enen though there isn't a whole lot he can do on his own because of his physical limitations. He has a special button switch that plugs into a mouse that I use. Basically I move the mouse and he clicks using the button switch.

Wow! Your dedication is amazing. I'm glad that WW gives you and your son such a great opportunity to bond.

[brekt2002]

Originally Posted by Zooz

Wow! Your dedication is amazing. I'm glad that WW gives you and your son such a great opportunity to bond.

Thanks Zooz! I must say though I think I have just as much fun if not more than he does. It's always a great feeling to see a child like my DS enjoy and be able to participate in activities that typical kids do especially when doctors have told you it would never happen.

[LittleDog]

For my physically involved kids....we use the webbies as positional aids instead of blocks or other devices. It can change on a day to day basis depending on tone....sometimes you just need the duck...but it does lend itself to different input...both through body and mind. And besides they have notoriety of who is helping them that day.