Article Source - CNN

Written by - Saeed Ahmed - May 27th, 2009

(CNN) -- Thomas the Tank Engine, whose television adventures on the fictional island of Sodor have delighted children around the world for years, is now on a real-life mission to help kids with autism.

The steam locomotive and his friends are the stars of a new game in Australia, designed to help autistic children recognize emotions.The game asks players to recognize which engine has a sad face, or which is happy or angry.Children with autism often have a difficult time distinguishing different facial expressions.

Each time a child plays the game, he/she is presented with a different sequence of emotions. In doing so, the game takes advantage of the single-mindedness of autistic children to assist in their development.

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