Social Skills & Executive Functioning Focused Game Play

Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) is a tabletop role-playing fantasy game. Each player creates their own character within the rules and limitations of the game, and the narrator, or Dungeon Master (DM), guides them through their campaign. The players choose their own path and they make decisions, both independently and cooperatively, as to how each situation will conclude and what path the overall game will take. By participating, students will have the opportunity to practice social skills, communication skills, executive functioning skills, and emotional regulation. Other embedded skills include reading writing, vocabulary, math, and more.

Role-playing has been used for decades to rehearse interpersonal interactions. D&D provides a safe, flexible environment in which to practice perspective-taking, exploration of natural rewards and consequences, and cooperative problem-solving. The DM will do his best to guide players successfully through the challenges they face, but the decisions, ultimately, fall on the players, giving them responsibility and accountability to the group as a whole.