Overview

• A team led by Dr. Gray Atherton and Dr. Liam Cross published their Dixit study in Discover Psychology, demonstrating the game’s role in enabling autistic people to share personal experiences through images.
• Thirty-five autistic participants were split into small groups to select and explain illustrated cards that best described aspects of autism.
• Researchers identified three core themes in card choices: neurodiverse challenges, unique strengths of autistic individuals, and societal perceptions causing divides.
• The study supports gamified methods as tools to foster empathy and improve communication between autistic and neurotypical people.
• Building on these findings, the team is launching school-based trials to evaluate Dixit’s effectiveness for discussing sensitive topics like grief, bullying and divorce.