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Post by WackyAnne on Aug 25, 2014 17:25:11 GMT -9
I've run him through the Pathfinder Beginner Box solo adventure, we've played Dungeon! the board game, Dungeon Roll the dice game, drawn a few maps, made up (but not statted) a few creatures, started up a few stories, but tonight was the real thing. I brought him along to my FLGS tonight, expecting him to last an hour or so, while we played through Cragmaw Castle in the 5th Edition Starter Box. We'd talked about what character he'd like to start with, and decided on the pre-generated fighter-archer from the box set. He had a special d20 that he picked out after I ran him through the PFBB solo, and a full set of polyhedrals in fiery orange (Chessex Vortex Orange, to be specific). While he needed some reminders, and guidance, he had good ideas, and was engaged throughout the evening. He lasted all the way to the end, three-and-a-half hours later, and as you can see below, he had a blast! This is a big deal for him. He was just recently diagnosed with ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive (daydreamer, not troublemaker), as well as with learning disabilities in written expression. He's very imaginative and very bright; though only 8 years old, his reading comprehension level is at grade 10 level (i.e. twice his age). But the rest of it has been getting in the way of socializing, expressing himself verbally and most definitely in writing, and even in things like math. D&D is, in many ways, the perfect game to play to his strengths, and work on his weaknesses, having fun all the while. Tonight was a great night for it, too. We were playing the penultimate chapter in the 5th Edition Starter Set, Lost Mines of Phandelver, and there were just two other players (both with DMing experience) aside from us. We had the best DM possible - Scott is a wizard at bringing the action, the story, and the monsters to life. He's especially talented at goblin voices and expressions, and had G. engaged and in stitches all evening. Scott embodies a surviving gobbo with delusions of grandeur... G.'s now gotten his first treasure, his first XP, and a brand new organized play card to track it all. He'll be back next time as we finish Lost Mines of Phandelver; after that we'll play it by ear. He definitely won't be joining us on Wednesday nights, though, at least until we are down from 10 players sharing a single DM.
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Post by oldschooldm on Aug 25, 2014 17:57:06 GMT -9
Great news Anne!
I DM'd for a friend's son who has aspergers (the "literalist" flavor, where the person has problems generalizing or making inferences outside a specified ruleset.) We ran for about 12 weeks, and it was amazing - he was uncharacteristically able to concentrate (and flourish in a social group setting). And when I made a "DM's Judgement" that either contradicted the Rules as Written or added to those rules, he was able to safely explore the agitation that generated.
Turns out Fireballs are pretty exciting for kids and they are willing to work through a LOT of issues to blow stuff up! :-)
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Post by misterc on Aug 25, 2014 21:08:23 GMT -9
I also have a son with Aspergers, playing D&D has helped him adjust to the social conventions that most people take for granted, and now he even has his own D&S group. Its great to hear similar stories from others.
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Post by Brave Adventures on Aug 25, 2014 21:46:55 GMT -9
That is really cool WackyAnne! I'm looking forward to being able to do stuff like this with my son when he is old enough to not just eat everything. I guess one advantage of paper miniatures is that they aren't as much of a choking hazard as plastic or metal minis. Ryan
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Post by eran on Aug 26, 2014 3:34:34 GMT -9
I've been running HeroKids for my older daughter (just turned 8), but given how easy the 5th ed. book looks, I think I am going to start her on that soon. Its great how we can share this hobby with our kids.
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Post by hackbarth on Aug 26, 2014 3:34:51 GMT -9
This is a big deal for him. He was just recently diagnosed with ADHD-Predominantly Inattentive (daydreamer, not troublemaker), as well as with learning disabilities in written expression. He's very imaginative and very bright; though only 8 years old, his reading comprehension level is at grade 10 level (i.e. twice his age). But the rest of it has been getting in the way of socializing, expressing himself verbally and most definitely in writing, and even in things like math. D&D is, in many ways, the perfect game to play to his strengths, and work on his weaknesses, having fun all the while. I was this kid. Of course at the time there wasn't a psychiatric stamp on this at the time. RPGs was the thing that got me out of my anti social behavior. Got me friends that I have to this day, got me an extensive vocabulary and self expression to use it in front of others. If I can stand in a group of strangers and have conversations it's because of RPGs. It showed me invaluable skills, like to be able to see issues by the eyes of other people that have different backgrounds than me, recognize patterns and use them in other situations, to think outside the box... And if I'm able to discuss casually about my hobby in a language that I never formally studied with people around the world, it's because of RPGs. To this day I repay RPGs by reaching out other kids in RPG conventions and GMing a table just for people that never played before. Had kids in the first years of school on my table, proud to be able to write their names in pre-made char sheets and roleplaying vicious pirates armed with lasers against dinosaurs and nazis!
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Post by wildagreenbough on Aug 26, 2014 9:40:53 GMT -9
I also have a son with Aspergers, playing D&D has helped him adjust to the social conventions that most people take for granted, and now he even has his own D&S group. Its great to hear similar stories from others. My adult daughter who now lives with me has Aspergers. Aspergers children are beautiful and precious and I love my daughter very much and I'm proud of her for what she has achieved. I played tabletop fantasy wargaming and dungeon crawling with my children as they were growing up and it was such great quality time for us. Congratulations Anne on this wonderful milestone, it will be something that the both of you will remember for the rest of your lives.
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Post by okumarts on Aug 26, 2014 10:37:36 GMT -9
This thread makes me so very happy.
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Post by emergencyoverride on Aug 26, 2014 18:12:35 GMT -9
My brother is twelve years younger than me and has aspergers. I was dm'ing for my group when he was just in Kindergarten. He would get in trouble in school alot. Back in the early 80's they didn't understand many of the different psychological issues out there, or even that there were different ones. They just threw Ritalin at kids like it was a one stop fix for everything. (Morons) Growing up babysitting him and later hanging out, I really came to appreciate what parents and children go through. Over the years he joined our games when he could and it made a big difference in how he handled things as far as relating to others and dealing with frustration. It also gave him a love for reading, a skill that he greatly lacked because of focus issues, but he fought through it. I'm glad we got to play together and that my Mother wouldn't let me be the big brother that couldn't be bothered with his little brother or sister because he was too cool. He actually has his own group now and plays 10 times as much as I get to. Wackyanne, I'm so glad you got to experience this with your son. He will NEVER forget that you included him in something that great, and that he got to play with others at the flgs. It reminds me of the smile I see on my Godson's face when we all play Heroquest. His grin is from ear to ear and his mom says thats all he'll talk about for 2 days afterwards. Cherish those moments, those smiles and laughs are what its all about!
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Post by cowboyleland on Aug 27, 2014 14:24:08 GMT -9
This is great Anne! If your kid is like mine, about the time he turns 13 he is not going to want you around when he games with his friends. That can hurt a little, so try to start getting used to the idea now,
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Post by Vellcrow on Aug 27, 2014 16:11:53 GMT -9
I started playing RPGs, specifically D&D, in the 5th grade. The basic red book helped me learn words like dexterity, constitution and prime requisite; words not usually encountered until high school in some cases. The game helped me learn drama and acting skills (yes, a Team America reference), social interaction and problem solving skills, not to mention expanding and inspiring my creativity. I learned so much from D&D. Now, 30+ years later, I really wonder; what were all those demon-hating mothers from the 80's so upset about???
Anne, keep up the good work.
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Post by hackbarth on Aug 28, 2014 3:46:05 GMT -9
My brother is twelve years younger than me and has aspergers. I was dm'ing for my group when he was just in Kindergarten. He would get in trouble in school alot. Back in the early 80's they didn't understand many of the different psychological issues out there, or even that there were different ones. They just threw Ritalin at kids like it was a one stop fix for everything. (Morons) QTF, unfortunately. And our society is still guilty of trowing Ritalin in buckets to kids that are just being kids. But I won't derail the thread further. I hope my kids get to RPGs as readily as these, for now, at 7 and 5 they don't need rules yet, but the time is getting near. I can hear the kids shouting at each other about which of their plush Pokemon just win their duel. Soon I'll have to get my dice and step in to help sort that.
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Post by glennwilliams on Sept 15, 2014 7:53:30 GMT -9
My son and I have introduced the grand girls to D&D through the board games (Ravencroft, etc). My six year old won one game at the last moment when she asked, "Can I throw a spell at him?" Can't wait for David Okum's Darkfast Dungeon.
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Post by cowboycentaur on Sept 15, 2014 21:01:34 GMT -9
This is so awesome!! I run a game with my 6 and 8 year olds that has been incredibly rewarding. We started out playing 4e d&d but have converted to the F.A.T.E. System. Awesome to see them explore their creativity and problem solving, as well as just have fun blowing things up.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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Post by Cardstock Dane on Sept 16, 2014 3:27:54 GMT -9
That's great! I'm planning a D&D campaign for my nephews (13 and 16 y/o), and they can't wait for their first scenario. I'm old school, though, so I'm using the good, old TSR rules.
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