Jean Tyrrell wanted to find activities that would allow students in the autism program at Patterson Mill Middle/High School to be more physically active during the school day.
After researching some ideas, Tyrrell said she purchased a Nintendo Wii video game console with a grant that she received.
"The kids really like Wii," said Tyrrell, a physical-education teacher. "And I think it's great. It gives the children with autism an age-appropriate leisure activity to do."
Since the game was purchased, the children have all learned to play it, said Carolyn Trovinger, who teaches the middle school autism program.
On a recent afternoon, Trovinger's students played baseball on the Wii, which features digital sensors and allows people to virtually play sports and games.
Journey Phanouvong, 12, of Belcamp made a base hit, and then clapped and cheered.
Daniel Quinn, 11, of Edgewood hit the ball and didn't want to stop playing when his turn was over.
"Some of the students would love to play Wii all day long," Tyrrell said. "We can't let them do that. So we put Wii on their daily schedule right after lunch time. That way, they know exactly when they can play."
The game is simple, so all the students can play, said Robin Yates, who teaches the high school program for autism. Each student has a different level of autism - a developmental disorder that is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication - and a different level of play. And the game allows the autistic students to play at their own pace, she said.
Despite the limited time the students have to play the game - one period a day - there are benefits for autistic children, said Trovinger.
In addition to improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, the game has helped create more social opportunities for the children in the program, Trovinger said.
Other students in the school come by and see the Wii and want to help the children in the program or watch them, Trovinger said.
"We have students who aren't autistic who come in and want to show the kids how to play Wii," she said. "They bond with the boys in the autism program, and they are so into figuring out who these boys are."
Playing Wii is also something the kids can do at home after school, said Tyrrell.
"We are giving them the building blocks they need here to play the game wherever they go," she said.
