112 Game for Change

This is a story about dealing with Autism, a mental disease that has affected millions of homes and families throughout the world. Each day is a struggle to figure out how to communicate and live with a human being who has a different way of receiving stimuli from the world around them. This game will take you through a normal day in the life of a loved one who is trying to simultaneously foster their child's development and regulate their innapropriate actions. [[Begin|Wakeup]]

It's 7am in the morning. It's time for you to wake up Charlie. You're a little worried because Charlie's mom reported that last night everyone stayed up a little too late watching the lastest Disney movie. Now you mentaly review your plans as you prepare to get Charlie ready to go to his summer daycamp. Charlie has recently been doing well. He enjoys summer camp and seems to be having a happy summer. His development has improved over the years and he now is able to speak confidently for the majority of the time. His biggest challenge right now is being socially aware and being able to learn that the whole world doesn't revolve around him. Often at summer camp Charlie has trouble sharing and playing with others, as well as separating himself from you. He sees at times more like a servant, someone who does whatever he asks and will get you out of any trouble he causes. Your main goal right now is to stay close and help him in times of crisis, while simultaneously separating yourself from him. It's a task that requires constant effort, but one that you hope will allow Charlie to be independant enough to go to public school this upcoming fall. You head into Charlie's room and softly say his name. After a few seconds you gently shake him until he opens his eyes. "Time to get up for summer camp Charlie." Charlie slowly begins to wake up, and you leave him to go get breakfast ready. For lunch today, a bag of lays chips, a bag of veggie sticks, an apple, a package of fruitsnacks, and a juice box, Charlie's favorite. Charlie is dressed when you come back in his favorite Ninja Turtle t-shirt and black sport shorts. "Ok lets get those shoes on Charlie." Charlie seems to not hear and saunters out of the room into the kitchen, looking at the bacon cooking on the stove. You look at your phone 7:20. You really need to leave in the next 20 minutes in order to get to summer camp in time for the field trip that leaves right at 8. The buses get loaded very quickly and you've missed them before because of Charlie's sluggish starts. You could try to motivate Charlie to get ready, but you know that with the little amount of sleep he's received he could be a little more grumpy then usual. You definitely don't want to have a tantrum before the day even starts. What do you do? [[Go and motivate Charlie to put on this shoes|Shoes bad]] [[Give Charlie a few minutes and hope you aren't late|Shoes Good]]

"Charlie, you need to get your teeth brushed" you say softly Charlie doesn't listen to you , and continues playing with his toy. You seek the time and make your decision. You take the toy gently out of Charlie's hands "Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!" Charlie says "We need to get ready for summer camp or you'll miss the bus for the field trip." "I wanted to play with my toy" says charlie, almost in tears. I know you do, but we have to go, I'm sorry charlie." You continue to talk very softly. Charlie sniffs but gets up and walks away, sadly saying to himself "I wanted to play with the toy..." As Charlie brushes his teeth, you finish packing his backpack and soon you are headed out to the car, slowly but surely. Seated in the car, you wait patiently for Charlie to buckle himself in the car. As you look in the mirror to back out of the driveway, you notice that Charlie has somehow mananged to bring the toy from before with him in the car. You groan inwardly. Normally you wouldn't care if he brought a toy but the summer camp specifically has been strict that children don't bring toys from home. It's caused a lot of problems in the past and they just wanted to eliminate any possiblities for problems. You have to find a way to get that toy back in the house. What do you do? [[Get the toy from Charlie somehow|Fail]] [[Let it slide this time, maybe they won't notice at the summer camp|End Choice 1]]

You allow Charlie a few minutes as you finish up the rest ofthe backpack, and then come back in a few minutes with toothbrush in hand. "Ok lets get your teeth brushed!" You say excitedly! Charlie puts down the toy and willingly brushes his teeth. Ok, 7:38. You're going to be late today but at least Charlie is still calm. As Charlie brushes his teeth, you finish packing his backpack and soon you are headed out to the car, slowly but surely. Seated in the car, you wait patiently for Charlie to buckle himself in the car. As you look in the mirror to back out of the driveway, you notice that Charlie has somehow mananged to bring the toy from before with him in the car. You groan inwardly. Normally you wouldn't care if he brought a toy but the summer camp specifically has been strict that children don't bring toys from home. It's caused a lot of problems in the past and they just wanted to eliminate any possiblities for problems. You have to find a way to get that toy back in the house. What do you do? [[Get the toy from Charlie somehow|End Choice 1 Bad]] [[Let it slide this time, maybe they won't notice at the summer camp|End Choice 1]]

You grab Charlie's socks and shoes and walk into the kitchen. Charlie is munching on a pieve of bacon and still looking quite groggy. "Hey Charlie, it's time to get your shoes on" Charlie still doesn't respond, but you know that he heard what you said. You sit down on the couch in the living room with the socks and shoes and beckon Charlie over. He comes over slowly and sits next to you. Charlie says "Ok ok ok..." You urge him "Ok, lets get your socks and shoes on" Charlie doesn't respond, and eventually you have to put his socks on for him. He puts the shoes on by himself. Next step, get him to brush his teeth. Charlie has a morning routine that you have worked to cement in his brain for a while now. "Ok, time to brush your teeth!" Charlie has discovered a toy on the couch and is busily playing with it on the arm of the couch. He doesn't respond to your request. The time is 7:25, you've got to hurry. [[Motivate Charlie to brush his teeth|Teeth bad]] [[Give him time and remind him in a few minutes|Teeth Good]]

You spend some time getting Charlie's backpack ready, with his swimsuit and towel ready for swimming time. When you go into the kitchen, you see Charlie on the couch playing with a toy he found. You give him his shoes and sock. "Ok, time to put on your shoes" Charlie absentmindedly gets his shoes on. Next step, get him to brush his teeth. Charlie has a morning routine that you have worked to cement in his brain for a while now. "Ok, time to brush your teeth!" Charlie has gone back to playing with his toy on the arm of the couch. He doesn't respond to your request. The time is 7:30, you've got to hurry. [[Motivate Charlie to brush his teeth|Teeth Okay]] [[Give him time and remind him in a few minutes|Teeth Good]]

As you try to get the toy out of Charlie's hands, he cries out. "No no no!" It breaks your heart, but it has to be done. "I'm sorry Charlie, you can't take that to summer camp, you know the rules." "No, no, NOOOOOOOO!!!!" Charlie begins screaming in a high voice, and begins to have a tantrum, the worst one he has ever had. Looks like you're done with summer camp for the day, maybe next time he'll do better, that is if his mom doesn't fire you. THE END

"Charlie, remember that you can't take that toy to summer camp, we'll have to leave that toy in the car okay?" "ok ok ok" Says charlie, still enthralled with the toy. You sigh and hope that you aren't about to have another battle when you get to the summer camp. [[Next|Choice 2]]

"Charlie, you need to get your teeth brushed" you say softly Charlie doesn't listen to you , and continues playing with his toy. You seek the time and make your decision. You take the toy gently out of Charlie's hands "Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!" Charlie says "We need to get ready for summer camp or you'll miss the bus for the field trip." "I wanted to play with my toy" says charlie, almost in tears. I know you do, but we have to go, I'm sorry charlie." You continue to talk very softly. Charlie sniffs but gets up and walks away, sadly saying to himself "I wanted to play with the toy..." As Charlie brushes his teeth, you finish packing his backpack and soon you are headed out to the car, slowly but surely. Seated in the car, you wait patiently for Charlie to buckle himself in the car. As you look in the mirror to back out of the driveway, you notice that Charlie has somehow mananged to bring the toy from before with him in the car. You groan inwardly. Normally you wouldn't care if he brought a toy but the summer camp specifically has been strict that children don't bring toys from home. It's caused a lot of problems in the past and they just wanted to eliminate any possiblities for problems. You have to find a way to get that toy back in the house. What do you do? [[Get the toy from Charlie somehow|End Choice 1 Bad]] [[Let it slide this time, maybe they won't notice at the summer camp|End Choice 1]]

You get to summer camp, a little late, but just in time to follow everyone onto the buses to go on the field trip. As you enter the bus Charlie sees a friend that he has gotten along with okay for the last few days. He goes and sits by them. This would normally be okay but you know that Charlie and this friend have fought on the bus before, and with the rough start you had this morning you don't think it would end well to have them together. Now, the question is how to get them apart... What do you do? [[Have Charlie move seats|Rules]] [[Let him stay with his friend, you'll just sit real close to them|Rebuttal]]

You can't let this happen, as much as its going to bother Charlie. "Hey Charlie, the leaders said we have to sit with our buddies, so lets sit together okay? Your friend has to sit with his buddy too." Charlie seems a little sad, but he comes over to you and sits next to you. You have a good time on the field trip to the bowling alley. Charlie seems to enjoy himself and is very calm as he gets back on the bus. Unfortunately, he goes back to sit by his friend again. You aren't sure what to do this time. [[Remind Charlie of the rules|Choice 2 Good]] [[Let Charlie stay with the boy and monitor them closely|Choice 2 Bad]]

"Ok you guys can sit by each other but you can't touch each other that's the rules, okay?" Charlie and his friend both seem to understand, and the ride passes with almost no problems. They seem to quitely enjoy the ride and don't even talk to each other much. You have a good time on the field trip to the bowling alley. Charlie seems to enjoy himself and is very calm as he gets back on the bus. Unfortunately, he goes back to sit by his friend again. You aren't sure what to do this time. [[Move Charlie to sit by you|Choice 2 Good]] [[Let Charlie stay with the boy and monitor them closely|Choice 2 Bad]]

"Charlie, you know the rules, you need to sit by your buddy on the way back." Charlie responds "But I want to sit by my friend!" You aren't sure how to repsond, because getting him to move now could get him more upset. You aren't even sure why he wants to sit by his friend because they haven't even been talking. What do you do? [[He should really sit by you|Choice 2 Good 2]] [[He'll be fine if you monitor them|Choice 2 Bad]]

"Ok but you guys can't touch each other remember" Everything goes fine on the bus, but as you are talking to the friends assistant next to you, you suddenly hear a cry. "HeyyyyyyyyyyyYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!" You turn around and the friend is pushing Charlie away from him. It looks like Charlie wanted to look out the window but the friend didn't want to let him. Charlie begins to slap at the boy. You quickly get up and separate the two, and have Charlie sit next to you. Charlie is frustrated and angry, and clenches both his fists very tightly and his face turns red. You quietly talk to Charlie all the way home in order to calm him down. (set: $strikes += 1) [[Next|Choice 3]]

"Charlie, I'm sorry, you'll have to sit by me this time, we don't want the leaders to get us in trouble. Plus, when we get back we have snack time!" Charlie is sad but he comes and sits by you, and the rest of the drive goes by somewhat calmly. [[Next|Choice 3]]

When you get back to the camp building, everyone gets a snack, and then it's free play time. Charlie wants to play with some balls in the middle of the gym, and so do lots of other kids. Charlie calls for you to come play with him. You know that this could be a good time to practice playing with other kids, but you also don't know what could happen if you aren't right there with them. [[Next|Argument]]

As you watch the kids play with the balls, a kid approaches Charlie and asks if he can play with his big red ball with him. "No, I was playing with it." Oh no. What do you do? [[Interfere|Interfere Choice]] [[Move closer but let Charlie deal with this situation|Choice 3 Bad]]

You go up to the boys to talk to them. What do you do? [[Remove Charlie from the situation|Interfere Good]] [[Try to talk to the boy|Interfere Bad]] [[Take Charlie aside and talk to him|Charlie Good]]

The kid continues trying to get Charlie to share the ball, but Charlie continues to refuse. Eventually the boy goes away, but begins to throw balls at Charlie and running away. Charlie does not respond well. Becomes more and more angry and eventually screams at the boy "STOP IT" very high pitched. Charlie runs at the boy to supposedly hit him. You step in just in time and calm him down, but he needs to be taken aside to be talked to about the situaiton. (set: $strikes += 1) [[Next|Choice 4]]

It's now time for lunch. Charlie spends his time eating his food by himself and then runs over to get ready for swimming time, his favorite time of the day. This time is both a blessing and a curse for Charlie, because he is able to use a lot of energy, but that also makes him more intolerant to other children. For that reason you always swim with him and are there to monitor him within the pool. As you guys go inside, Charlie quickly goes to his place on the far end of the pool to jump in. He enjoys jumping in and then climbing the ladder, repeating the process as many times as possible. This also is the favorite activity of many of the other boys, some more rowdy than others. Pretty soon Charlie has pushed a boy into the water as he waited to jump in. He immediately looks at you guiltily. How do you respond to the situation? [[Give Charlie a warning|Warning]] [[Give Charlie a look but don't get involved|Push 2]]

You quickly tell the boy to go to his buddy and that Charlie is busy, and you take him away from the situation. Charlie isn't able to interact with more children for a little while, but you prevent anything from escalating. [[Next|Choice 4]]

As you approach the boys you talk to the kid. "Hey, you can't do that to Charlie, come on." The kid looks at you, looks at Charlie, and starts sucking his thumb and ignoring both of you. Charlie copies you and says meanly. "Yeah, leave us alone you!" The boy doesn't like that, and goes up and hits Charlie and then runs away. [[Next|Choice 3 Bad]]

As you go up to the boys, you go up to Charlie and talk to him. "Hey, Charlie, if you don't want to share your toy, you can just go somewhere else and he won't ask any more." Charlie understands and walks to another part of the room, with you in tow. Another kid comes up and asks Charlie to share the toy, and Charlie says no and walks away, copying the process. You've successfully helped Charlie to navigate a social situation, and he's seen the results. [[Next|Choice 4]]

"Charlie, don't do that." you say loudly. Charlie stops and continues to jump into the pool. One other boy who is feeling particularly spiteful then goes and pushes Charlie into the pool. "HeyyyyyyY!!" Charlie yells! He begins to swim as fast as he can to the boy. You have to interfere, what do you do? [[Swim over and separate the two boys|Separation]] [[Swim over and verbally warn Charlie|Warning 2]] [[Verbally warn Charlie from the side of the pool|Warning 3]]

Charlie understands your look and stops pushing the kids. One other boy who is feeling particularly spiteful then goes and pushes Charlie into the pool. "HeyyyyyyY!!" Charlie yells! He begins to swim as fast as he can to the boy. You have to interfere, what do you do? [[Swim over and separate the two boys|Separation]] [[Swim over and verbally warn Charlie|Warning 2]] [[Verbally warn Charlie from the side of the pool|Warning 3]]

You swim over quickly and position yourself in between Charlie and the boy. "Get out of the wayyyyyyy!" Charlie says as he tries to push past you. The kid quickly sticks his tongue out and swims away. Charlie continues to struggle to get at the kid, but you hold him back. Charlie reacts violently, screaming and kicking he yells "NOOOOO" over and over. All the other children, along with the adult assistants, stop and stare at you, disrupted by the loud noise. You have to take Charlie out of the pool and calm him down by talking to him for about 10 minutes. (set: $strikes += 1) [[Next|Conclusion]]

You swim over quickly and say firmly to Charlie "Charlie, do not hit him or you are going to have to get out." Charlie immediately gets emotional and angry, turning to you and yelling "NO!" He then starts to splash the kid instead of swimming towards him. "Ok, Charlie, you need to get out for 10 mintues." Charlie reacts violently, screaming and kicking he yells "NOOOOO" over and over. All the other children, along with the adult assistants, stop and stare at you, disrupted by the loud noise. You have to take Charlie out of the pool and calm him down by talking to him for about 10 minutes. (set: $strikes += 1) [[Next|Conclusion]]

You call over to Charlie from the side of the pool "Charlie, do NOT hit him." Charlie doesn't stop, and reaches the kid. He immediately begins to splash and slap the child. You can't stay on the edge of the pool. You swim quickly over to Charlie and separate him from the kid. Charlie reacts violently, screaming and kicking he yells "NOOOOO" over and over. All the other children, along with the adult assistants, stop and stare at you, disrupted by the loud noise. You have to take Charlie out of the pool and calm him down by talking to him for about 10 minutes. (set: $strikes += 1) [[Next|Conclusion]]

Thank you for playing this game that explores the difficulties of helping an autistic child continue his development. I was the assistant to a close friend's autistic son for the summer and all of the events in this game did occur at some point or another during that time. I do not want this game to make you think that these are the only ways that an autistic child could react to what we do, but rather to describe just a few of the outcomes that can occur. I wanted this game to describe just how hard it is to make the right decisions in situations like these. For the pool section, there was no choice that did not end up in a meltdown, and for a reason. You learn quickly that what may be the best choice for children without autism may not be the best for those with the condition. (if: $strikes >= 2)[If you are reading this, it means that you made choices that led you to 2 or more "meltdowns" during you day with Charlie. While the purpose of having an assistant for an autistic child is much more than just preventing these occurences, keeping track of them as well as observing what causes them is vital to helping develop the specific plan you will make to help your child develop.](else:)[If you are reading this, it means that you made choices that led to only 1 meltdown. This is very commendable, as it means that you were either very lucky, or you were able to discern what Charlie needed based on what you were given. The actual child that I assisted reacted to every stimuli in a very specific way, and this was the basis for the specialized reactions of Charlie.] I hope that anyone who plays this game is able to experience the hard work that goes into every single day of an autistic child's life. I will end with telling you that it is worth every effort, every moment of planning, teaching, and guiding. This game simulated a "first look" at autism, but with dedication and dilligence, a child turns from a puzzle into a beautiful individual who is important to the world and to God. Thank you for playing, Jared Wilkinson