ATTENTION TO SELF AND TO OTHERS IN THE EXPERIENCE OF AUTISTIC CHILDREN WITH THE AVENTURA ESPACIAL GAME

Abstract

This work analyzes how children with autism spectrum disorder transform modes of attention to self and forms of interaction in the direct experience in which they play with games built for mental health. This is a qualitative intervention research and the methodological procedures involve an organization with monitoring of game workshops and the analysis of the participants' self-narratives. The context of the experience involves children who are assisted at the Centro de Atenção Psicossocial Infantil [Child Psychosocial Care Center], located in the city of Mossoró-RN and their families, who participate on the program Oficinando em Rede [Networked Workshops] at the Universidade Federal Rural do Semi-Árido. Regarding research instruments, we highlight the researcher's logbook, the transcription of self-narratives recorded in the meetings with family members and children, footage of workshops with the children for later observation of the ways of coordinating interactive processes in the direct work of the researchers using the Aventura Espacial [Space Adventure] game. Workshops are a research tool, as they enable the construction of an experience that favors the transformation of cognitive and subjectivation processes, the learning and caring in the process and the interaction with subjects on the autism spectrum. As a result, we can understand that interacting and playing with the Aventura Espacial game favors the emergence of interactive processes and the communication of children diagnosed with autism.