SimplyFun Highlights Autism Awareness through Game Play

SEATTLE, March 25, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- SimplyFun, LLC, is a developer of award winning educational board games that allow children to build their core thinking, academic and life skills through game play.  SimplyFun is supporting autism awareness through initiatives designed to holistically support children with autism by addressing their unique challenges and building on their strengths and interests with an approach to game analysis that presents how certain games in their catalog can capitalize on things children with autism may do well. This project provides suggestions for game play suitability as well as changes to game play that make the game more accessible.

"It has been such a learning experience to work with our Play Advisory Council experts, Dr. Toni Linder and Matt Brown to define an approach that we believe can help give parents of children with autism hope for their child's future while creating a point of connection with their child through game play," says SimplyFun President and CEO, Patty Pearcy. "Board, card, and action games can serve a valuable role in the life of the child with autism," explains SimplyFun Play Advisory Council member and independent game evaluator, Toni Linder. "Through these types of games, children with autism learn to take turns, pay attention to others' needs, communicate with and interact with others in a positive and motivating way," says Linder.

Play Advisor Council member Matt Brown enthusiastically adds, "Last year, I helped develop guidelines for parents, teachers and other care-givers to find games that help remediate areas of need for children with autism.  That was valuable, yet only addressed one half of the child.  Children with autism also have great strengths and interests.  That is why I am more excited than ever to be collaborating on a new set of guidelines that will help adults find games that build on those strengths and interests."

About SimplyFun 
SimplyFun produces award-winning games designed for educating kids and connecting families. Developed with a focus on making learning fun, SimplyFun games help kids of all ages develop communication, math and science skills, express creativity, collaborate with others and enhance critical thinking. Founded in 2004, SimplyFun provides the opportunity to change lives with its educational games while offering direct sales opportunities in person and online.  In addition, SimplyFun's new Gameraising program gives schools the ability to earn much needed funds. http://www.simplyfun.com.

About Toni Linder
Toni Linder, Ed.D., Professor Emeritus, Child, Family, and School Psychology Program, Morgridge College of Education, University of Denver, is a leader in the field of early childhood development and early childhood special education.  She is particularly known for her work on authentic assessment for young children and is the author of Transdisciplinary Play-based Assessment and Transdisciplinary Play-based Intervention (1990, 1993, 2008).  In addition, she developed Read, Play, and Learn (1999), an inclusive, literature and play-based curriculum for preschool and kindergarten children to enhance their learning and development.

About Matt Brown
For over 20 years Brown has been leading high-performing teams to develop vibrant business cultures, invent and launch high-impact branded platforms, and turn around underperforming brands and businesses. He has been an SVP at Scholastic, President of Klutz, Vice-President of LeapFrog, Chief Gaming Officer at Conteneo, Chief Stategist at Speck Design and has co-founded a few companies including big BOING, and integrated strategy, innovation and development company that partnered with Kraft, Disney, Coca Cola, Nickelodeon, Hasbro and Learning Curve to invent, design and launch major domestic and international brands.   

Editor's Note: Extended bios, quotes and detailed information about how each game can be modified is available upon request.

Media Inquiries: Darnell Sue, SimplyFun | (877)557-7767 x 302 | [email protected]

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SOURCE Simply Fun, LLC

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