Asperger Syndrome and Chess

Hello, I´m a therapist for people within the autism spectrum and also chess-fascinated. I also worked with a boy, who really improved very fast. As far as I know, there is no indication for a higher risk of online-chess-addiction of clients with the Asperger Syndrome. Greetings from Germany!

Thanks guys. I work in a rehab clinic, and this patient is in the clinic because his addiction to online games , not chess. I gave him a book (Bob Fischer Teaches Chess) which he went through in two days. When playing with him I noted that he was able to focus long in specific positions, trying to find a plan , very usual for beginners. I gave him a position to solve (mate in three) which he solved, even given an alternative solution. The same with a puzzle mate in 4.  I am sure he will beat everybody in the clinic in one or two weeks, although  he learned the rules of the game same days ago.
I hope chess will get his new hobby, but I am quite concerned about he playing chess online excessively after going home. Without the issues with Corona I would suggest him to stay away from online chess and play in a club, but this is not an option right now. I don’t want that he replaces an addiction with a new one.

Ideally we would not create a new addiction. The online chess addiction is very widespread, usually by bullet players. I think I will talk to the guy and discuss the problem. Perhaps we can make some agreements about what he should do and what not in the future. I will also talk to the therapist responsible for him in our clinic. It is a new situation for me and I want to do the right thing.  Usually I would be extremely happy with such a great student,  but in this case I am slightly concerned. 

To people with the Asperger Syndrome or Autism in general, structured work is essential. To deal with your client, I would suggest an agreement for a structured amount of time to play chess a day (whether online or offline). This will help him to manage his every day life and to enjoy playing chess, while he´s coping with his online addiction. 

Vielen Dank, werde ich machen.

People with AS have a tendency to get obsessed about stuff that interest them, whatever that may be. And they are good at absorbing tons of information. I remember a guy with AS who loved trains, he had model railways, lots of books and new almost every detail about all the locomotives ever made. It is not the same thing as addiction, but if your client has a history of addiction, i would make sure he is not using his hobby as a tool for running away from his emotions, because that's the essence of most addictive behaviors.

I haven't been officially diagnosed with ASD but do share alot if not all the symptoms. It seems the only reason somebody like me would have an obsession with chess is convenience. we aren't required to socialize, lack of noise pollution, and something new can appear each time we play which keeps us hooked. but the real major one is lack of passions; in other words we're using chess to replace what we don't have. so it can turn into a crutch rather than a hobby if taken to the extreme. This is my outlook and it'll be different in varying degrees with other individuals with ASD