Our recent scoping review examined the current landscape of game-based and gamified interventions designed to support autistic children and adolescents, and the picture that emerges is promising but still developing.

The strongest focus across studies we examined is on social communication and emotional functioning, with most interventions targeting skills like social interaction, communication, and emotion recognition. Meanwhile, areas such as physical activity, quality of life, safety, and the risks of problematic gaming remain underexplored.

Interestingly, most interventions rely on purpose-built "serious games" rather than mainstream, off-the-shelf titles. Very few studies explore modding, the practice of customizing existing games, despite its potential to offer autistic users tailored sensory experiences, adjustable difficulty, and structured social scripts. Modding could shift users from passive players to active co-creators, but this remains a significant research gap.

Delivery context matters too: most interventions happen with adult support from therapists, teachers, or caregivers, rather than through fully independent play, making it hard to separate the game's impact from that of human guidance.