Building Social Awareness in Autistic Children and their Peers Using Minecraft (R)
A Step by Step Guide to Running Neurodiversity-Affirming Groups (Revised Edition)
Will be published approx. on 21. January 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-80501-853-7 (ISBN)
Description
Minecraft (R) provides an ideal space for children of all neurotypes to learn and develop social awareness. The game makes exploring concepts like perspective-taking and communication fun, and it quickly provides common ground for both structured group and playground conversations.
This new edition shares everything you need to know about setting up and running a Minecraft Social Group that supports both autistic children and their peers, with each session plan focusing on a different aspect of social development, like cooperation, persistence, and accepting difference - all aimed at helping kids to build lifelong skills. It has been fully updated with neuro-affirmative language and principles, including an age-appropriate exploration of the double empathy problem (the idea that communication is a two-way street, and those who aren't autistic need to make adjustments just as much as those who are).
With over 100 pages of downloadable session plans and handouts, this manual makes it
easy for professionals to use Minecraft to help children develop their social awareness and feel more confident with communication.
This new edition shares everything you need to know about setting up and running a Minecraft Social Group that supports both autistic children and their peers, with each session plan focusing on a different aspect of social development, like cooperation, persistence, and accepting difference - all aimed at helping kids to build lifelong skills. It has been fully updated with neuro-affirmative language and principles, including an age-appropriate exploration of the double empathy problem (the idea that communication is a two-way street, and those who aren't autistic need to make adjustments just as much as those who are).
With over 100 pages of downloadable session plans and handouts, this manual makes it
easy for professionals to use Minecraft to help children develop their social awareness and feel more confident with communication.
Reviews / Votes
As our understanding of neurodiversity in childhood evolves, we need to revise our programmes to increase social awareness and connection. Raelene's revised guide explores different social styles and increases self-awareness and interpersonal abilities through a process of discovery and having fun. -- Professor Tony Attwood, Clinical Psychologist specialising in autism for over 50 yearsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
Primary & secondary/elementary & high school
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Illustrations
Approx 10 B&W spot illustrations. Reused from 1st edition
Dimensions
Height: 292 mm
Width: 208 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
658 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80501-853-7 (9781805018537)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Raelene Dundon (Author)
Raelene Dundon is a late diagnosed Autistic ADHDer and is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Play Therapist. She is the Director of Okey Dokey Childhood Therapy, a large multidisciplinary practice in Melbourne, Australia and a lecturer at Deakin University. Raelene has over 15 years' experience providing support to neurodivergent children and their families.
Raelene Dundon is a late diagnosed Autistic ADHDer and is an Educational and Developmental Psychologist and Play Therapist. She is the Director of Okey Dokey Childhood Therapy, a large multidisciplinary practice in Melbourne, Australia and a lecturer at Deakin University. Raelene has over 15 years' experience providing support to neurodivergent children and their families.