Games fun - out of the virtual world

The 12-year-old loves nothing more than battling with the baddies in his virtual world.

He's got a games console in the living room, one in the dining room and when he gets bored of PlayStation he's got a Sega, PSP, XBox, Gamecube and PC.

In short, Graeme is crazy about gaming.

His mum Frances explains how he became hooked at such a tender age and how since joining an activity club he's discovered a love of cricket, art and basketball.

"Graeme has autism and so have his brother and sister," explains Frances, a single mum with four kids.

"Like other children they can't go outside and play or go to the park alone. They don't have any sense of danger. They're just so naive and where we live there are a lot of speeding cars. It's dangerous.

"From a parenting point of view it's easier to know where they are."

Graeme goes to Bents Green Special School at Ringinglow, seven miles from the family's home in Ellerton Road, Firth Park, Sheffield.

That means he doesn't have many friends locally which adds to his isolation, adds mum Frances.

Until recently Graeme played games for up to three hours on a school night. During the school holidays he typically spends the whole day playing, unless the family are going on an outing.

"Graeme's problem with playing developed over time. He got his first games console when he was two or three and he just loved it. It's helped him develop. He's struggled because of his autism but it has given him something to focus on and helped his learning.

"What worried me as his mum was that he wasn't getting any fresh air and playing like normal children.

"We take the kids on trips and we go to the park and to Rivelin Valley. We try and get him out there but this past year I've been a single parent and it makes it very hard.

"I've got three special needs children and I need to take someone along when we go out. Getting out is a real challenge."

Fortunately, just as Graeme's constant gaming was becoming a problem, Frances took him along to the Active Brightside and Shiregreen summer activity programme.

He's attended holiday clubs run by SNIPS, the out of school activity organisation for children with special needs.

Although he's enjoyed the SNIPS sessions, he's now learning just how much fun he can have on his doorstep.

Throughout the summer Graeme and his 10-year-old sister Jamie-Marie have visited Firth Park Community Arts College to try out organised sport such as cricket and basketball and new 'street sport' sessions including a nine metre climbing tower and dance mats.

Graeme has weaned himself off his games consoles and is now getting into Lego and art, much to the delight of his mum. At our photoshoot he’s even sporting a colourful tie-dye t-shirt he made at a previous session.

“I drop Graeme and his sister here at 11am and pick them up just before 3pm,” adds Frances.

“It’s wonderful for them and it’s wonderful for me - I get a bit of time to myself and they get out of the house and get active. I’m hoping it’s the start of a whole new Graeme.”