Fortnite and Autism: How a Popular Game Is Helping Those on the Spectrum

If you are the parent of a Tween or Teen child, there’s a strong chance you’ve already heard of the wildly popular game Fortnite. Released by Epic Games in 2017, Fornite is quickly becoming a pop culture phenomenon and in terms of popularity, is already being compared to other iconic games of the past such as Minecraft and Pacman.

Fornite’s most popular mode, “Battle Royale,” involves a Hunger Games-style matchup, where roughly 100 players are dropped onto a post-apocalyptic island and battle it out with various weapons until one player or team is left standing. The game is available on Xbox One, PlayStation 4 and PC. Not unlike Minecraft, Fortnite features a strong element of building forts and structures, which can protect players from enemies.

For those on the autism spectrum, Fortnite is proving to be an excellent resource to enhance social, teamwork and organizational skills, as well as strengthen self-esteem and creativity. With the ability to play in “Duos” or “Squads” with others, individuals with autism can engage with peers, removing them from their isolation.

As we have discussed in the past, there is evidence to suggest that video games can be extremely beneficial for those with autism. With Fortnite specifically, the game can create a common bond with neurotypical counterparts and help form online bonds that can potentially carry over into the “real world.”

However, as with all video games, Fortnite comes with a caveat.

The game is known to be highly addicting, so those with autism are likely to play excessively at unhealthy levels, making moderation important. In addition, Fortnite can be incredibly frustrating for newer players, so if a child or teen is prone to meltdowns over unfavorable outcomes in video games, he or she will need to be monitored closely.

Lastly, the ability to connect with random players opens the potential for online bullying, harassment or worse, so parents need to keep a eye on their children’s teammates, particularly when they are matched with players they don’t know. Make sure you are able to hear your child’s gameplay interaction by checking that the sound output is not isolated exclusively to headphones.

All warnings aside, Fortnite can be a very rewarding experience for those with autism. Taking part in the current “in thing” is a great icebreaker with others and offers a chance to further develop important skills to help better prepare for day-to-day living in the future.

Below is a heartwarming Fortnite match featuring an online streamer playing “Duos” with his autistic brother: