Thomas Is a Really Useful Engine After All
Posted by Amber Robinson at 1:19 PM on May 27, 2009
A new electronic game is helping autistic children more accurately recognise emotions using Thomas characters.
As reported in the Daily Telegraph, Thomas the Tank Engine has already proven very popular with autistic kids, perhaps because they have very clear facial expressions, Autism Spectrum Australia (Aspect) says.
They’ve joined forces with Thomas and Friends’ owners, HiT Entertainment, to use them in games and promotions.
The “emotions game ” on the Aspect website asks players to recognise which engine has the sad face, the happy face and so on.
“We know children with autism relate particularly to Thomas and now we have the chance to build on that relationship,” Aspect CEO Adrian Ford said.
What a wonderful initiative. This is why I’ll never think all licenced characters and TV shows are rubbish. It’s all about context.
i thuink this artical about thomas is so true. I have a autistic 3 year old and thomas toys is all he will even touch
My grandson is autisric and for christmas I got him a V-Tech system with Thomas,that is all he plays with. I also bought him toy trains that he carries around and his hand. At school the teacher gave him three boxes and he made a train out of them. So,there is some truth in the articial.