PS4 problems. My son has hemiplegia and can't use a normal controller. Are there any solutions?

amylisa31

Hiya , my son really wants a PS4 for children but he has heamiplegia on his right side & can’t use a normal controller does anyone know if I can buy anything to help make it easier for him thank you !!!

Ellyyg

What kind of games does he like to play? PS4 can be connected to a steering wheel controller which could be used with one hand if he enjoys racing games. 

https://www.argos.co.uk/browse/technology/video-games-and-consoles/ps4/ps4-controllers-and-steering-wheels/c:30036/accessory-type:steering-wheels/

Obviously could look for cheaper and used ones on Facebook Marketplace perhaps 

Here are some accessible controllers, including one-handed ones
https://www.evilcontrollers.com/store/accessible-controllers

Stayce

Hi @amylisa31

I have right sided Hemiplegia and agree that it’s the type of game that is possibly going to be important. So for me I will pick racing games, football or puzzle.

Basically in these games generally speaking they will not require multiple button functions at the same time ,so no dual hand use or that my affected hand will only need to keep one button down all the time and nothing else (eg acceleration)

Has your son tried a friend’s PS4 before you buy? And with any of these sorts of games.

Also although this is not as modern as PS4 have you thought about a Nintendo 2DS or 3DS handheld as a lot of games on theses are operated by touch screen which mean your son could use the stylus with left hand (again gameselection key). You could probably pick up a second hand one quite cheaply. 


For one handed controllers you might find the Able gamers Charity a useful resource

https://ablegamers.freshdesk.com/support/solutions/articles/14000110420-i-have-lost-the-use-of-one-of-my-hands-how-can-i-game-

Hope this is helpful

Best

Richard_Scope

Hi @amylisa31
Thanks for your post. There is a fantastic charity/company that I have worked with in the past called Special Effect

L_Volunteer

Hi @amylisa31, 

It seems like this is a really supportive thread. The wonderful @Ellyyg, @Stayce and @Richard_Scope have already provided you with some insightful ideas. Do any of these ideas sound like anything which could potentially work for your son @amylisa31? Also, @Richard_Scope, I have a question for you please if you don't mind? Just in case anyone (like me!) isn't aware of Special Effect, could you possibly outline the work they do and how they could help with accessing games, please? Thanks in advance. I would just be really pleased if the outcome of this forum could be to enable @amylisa31's son to enjoy playing video games 

NickDev

It should be great if there were more different type of controllers.

A steering wheel or joy might work, sometimes you can use buttons on controllers in a way they were not intended for but could work anyway. Like using the pedals for other things.

I checked the ablegamers link, there seems to be a lot of good alternatives.

I'm a game developer and very interested in this field of being able to use games as both recreation and exercise.

I wonder if anyone here knows if there are some sort of controller that you can squeeze, sort of pressure sensitive bubble mouse or joystick? That could work for people with sore limbs and weakness or as a one hand controller if you could squeeze different parts of it.

Alex_Alumni

Hi @NickDev I'm not aware of one that you can squeeze, but it would really open up gaming to a whole new set of gamers in waiting, as it were. 

I know that certain in-game control adaptions have come on in recent years, the ps5 has the ability to remap the controller, and to switch tapping buttons to holds for things like Quick Time Events, among other things. It does depend on the game type. 

I have CP, and weakness in my right side, and I find fighting games (e.g. lots of button mashing) to be particularly inaccessible because of the fatigue/cramp I get in my hand if I play more than 1 round. 

NickDev

@Alex_Scope Perhaps it would be possible to build something in Arduino...Would be nice if you could fix somehing that people could customize for their needs

Alex_Alumni

@NickDev I've not heard of Arduino, but sounds promising But I agree, more accessible designs generally would be a huge benefit to everyone, even if it's not what we're used to at first.