The Pesky gNATs Intellectual Disability (ID) Games

Pesky gNATs-ID offers two computer-based games called The Feel Good Island and Mindful Island.

These games support suitably qualified mental health professionals to deliver psychological interventions to adults with mild and moderate intellectual disabilities. Pesky gNATs-ID uses developmental psychology, clinical psychology and computer science to tackle the problem of translating the ideas of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness into something that is accessible to adults with intellectual disabilities. 

1. The Feel Good Island Computer Game

The Feel Good Island is an evidence-based, computer-assisted cognitive behavioural therapy intervention for adults with mild or moderate intellectual disabilities experiencing anxiety and/or depression. It is designed for use in sessions where a person with an intellectual disability who is seeking psychological intervention for anxiety and/or depression plays the game along-side a mental health professional.

In the game, people visit a 3-D world called “Feel Good Island” and meet a team of avatars. Each avatar introduces a single CBT concept. These concepts are illustrated through conversation, embedded presentations and questions, and the use of examples. 

The game has seven levels. Each level is designed to be the equivalent of a standard treatment session and supports a single component of a customised, developmentally appropriate CBT intervention. With the help of their therapist, the person applies each CBT concept they learn to their current difficulties. Each level also has the option to learn a mindfulness or relaxation skill. The game is supported by a printable workbook.

2. The Mindful Island Computer Game

The Mindful Island guides the delivery of an adapted mindfulness intervention. It is designed for use in sessions where a person with an intellectual disability plays the game along-side a mental health professional.

Similar to the Feel Good Island, people visit a 3-D world called “Mindful Island” and meet a team of avatars. Each avatar introduces a single Mindfulness concept. These concepts are illustrated through conversation, embedded videos and questions.

The game also has seven levels. Each level is designed to be the equivalent of a standard treatment session and supports a single component of a customised, developmentally appropriate mindful intervention. With the in session support of their therapist, the person applies the mindfulness concept they learn in each level to their everyday life. The game is also supported by a printable workbook.

How can I access the game:

Both games are available on the website here: https://peskygnatsid.com/Identity/Account/Register

Once registered, you will be able to download both games. We also provide on-line, video-based training for mental health professionals in how to use Pesky gNATs-ID. It includes two types of training videos to help you get the most from Pesky gNATs-ID.

1. An introductory video that reviews CBT and Mindfulness concepts within the game and explains the adaptations that makes them developmentally suitable and available for delivery in a computer game world.

2. A series of videos that provide a level-by-level walk through of both games. In these videos we present the full content of the game and discuss how we typically use it session by session with people with ID. They will help you get the most from our software and offer ideas on how you might use it in your clinical work.