ROLE-PLAYING GAMES (RPGs) AS A TOOL FOR SOCIALIZATION AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS IN INDIVIDUALS WITH ASD

Abstract

This article consists in a bibliographical review about the use of Role Playing Game (RPG) as a tool for socialization and development of executive functions in individuals in the Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) . The main objective was to verify in what way the RPGs contribute in the developing of abilities, especially social skills, identifying the elements of the game that favor bonding, interaction and sociability, as well as the abilities and executive functions mainly stimulated by gamification. The analysis was made by articles available on the platforms PsyInfo, Medline, Google Academics, SciELO and MedPub, published between the years of 2021 and 2026, in Brazil and in the U.S. The results suggest that the use of RPGs can stimulate executive functions, especially by promoting cognitive flexibility, cooperation, interaction and decision making. Besides, the use of RPGs can favor socialization of individuals with ASD by promoting a structured environment and collective construction. Studies also indicate that the participation in RPG groups can strengthen the bonds in players and promote the sense of community. In this way, RPGs present potencial as a therapeutic and educational tool for learning and for social interaction of people with ASD. However, further studies are necessary to evaluate sistematically the benefits and the acting mechanisms of it.