An Augmented Knight's Castle (AKC) play set was adapted so that children with 
autism can configure programmable elements. This is compared with a 
non-configurable AKC. When the system is configurable, and when it is switched 
on, less solitary play and more cooperative play occur. Digital toys and their 
configurability are key factors in design for children with autism, allowing 
greater individual control and more socially oriented behaviour. We suggest 
that tangibles provide a safety net for encouraging social interaction as they 
allow for a broad range of interaction styles.