Why it's ok for my son to be playing Minecraft on a sunny day

It's half term.  The internet is full of photos of kids in paddling pools, at the beach and having picnics. But in our home, you are just as likely to see my kids playing apps and computer games as you are seeing them outside.

Don't get me wrong, my kids need their time outside.  They need to run around, jump, spin and swing through the parks and playgrounds. But they need their indoor chill time too.  And when it's baking hot outside, spending a part of the day in the cool indoors on their devices is relaxing, calming and educational.

Our youngest uses his iPad for far more than playing games.  As an autistic child, he finds the routine of applications calming and the music and pictures relaxing.  David feels safe when he has his iPad with him.  In some ways it's like carrying a security blanket or favourite toy about.  And despite being a small six year old boy, in many ways David's mind functions more like someone half his age and having a security blanket when you are two or three years old isn't unusual.

Anthony on the other hand has just turned nine.  He's not in a specialist unit like his brother and attends a regular mainstream school with support as he has an ASD and ADHD diagnosis.  His technology is not limited to an iPad and covers quite a few gaming systems, from PCs, to Minis, to all-in-ones. But it's interesting that he uses them in many of the same ways as his younger brother.

It's currently 20 degrees outside (finally, is summer here?) and we've spent a few hours today at Chessington World of Adventures. Anthony went on some of his favourite (read fast) rides and now we are back home, he's piled into one of the latest online games he got for his birthday last week - Minecraft Story Mode.  And he's doing very well in it.

He has recognised that games are a good way for him to relax and switch off.  This is great as it help makes him much calmer and happier.  He's also learnt what to do when he get's stuck on a level - it was his own idea to look the answer up on the internet when I said I didn't know what to do next.

Minecraft generally has been very popular and very good for Anthony.  It has expanded his imagination through designing his own places.  It has also helped him with his understanding of consequence and planning - he knows he needs to collect sticks and redstone before he can make a redstone torch.  It's even led to the a few connections with some of his classmates from school too - and if you haven't heard of Autcraft, then do check it out.

And I'll be honest, it's something I enjoy him doing too.  I can sit (when given the chance) and watch his progress like watching a very long movie.  I can see how he copes with games and watch him relax, focus (because it's actually a common misconception that people with ADHD can't focus) and have fun.

So I guess I'm saying that although it might not be for everyone, it's OK that we aren't all out in the sun all the time.  In fact, I'd go so far to say as it's actually a good thing for our different but rather awesome tribe.