The following post is featured on the Premier Chess website. See link below.
By Rob Bernstein, Founder of RJB Educational Services
What is so special about chess? How is it different from other games, and how can it open a window into the mind of a person with autism?
If you want to understand a child on the autism spectrum, you need to understand how his mind works. We can observe this in how the child plays games. Is he obsessive, inflexible, or impulsive? Is he considerate of others? Is he fair? Does he have to win? Is he a good looser? Does he want to learn? Does he take criticism well? Does she like to think? Does she like to figure things out? Does she appreciate her opponent’s terrific move? You get the idea.
As complicated as the mind is, chess can be reflective of many of its variations. The game is sophisticated enough to give me insight into how the person’s mind is working. Of course, making a peanut butter sandwich will give me insight as well, but not quite as much as chess.
