Designing a 2D video game to aid children with learning disabilities

Abstract

This project aims to address the growing need for accessible, engaging educational tools to support children with learning disabilities (such as dyslexia and dyscalculia) and attention challenges (such as ADHD) by designing a short video game demo as a proof of concept. The goal of this project is to integrate game design principles with cognitive learning theories to enhance cognitive skills, attention, and emotional resilience among such children. This project draws heavily on proven evidence from research papers, news articles, and studies on the impact of video games on learning disabilities. The game demo, inspired by the popular game series “Pok´emon”, incorporates educational challenges in fifth-grade-level Mathematics, English Grammar, and Science, with immersive and intuitive gameplay, tailored to individual learning needs through adaptive difficulty and visual-spatial cues. The demo was subsequently shared with a group of testers, who provided qualitative feedback that assessed the game’s effectiveness in improving focus, problem-solving, and emotional regulation, with positive responses highlighting how the core quiz-based battle system mechanic provided a rewarding learning experience. This feedback ensured that the project aligns with the pre-existing research and studies on the topic. The project contains the base gameplay systems that can be expanded upon with future development and resources.