Virtual Reality As A Social Learning Tool For Individuals With Autism

Results-based social interactions indicate that people who are affected with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often encounter problems during the transition towards adulthood. However, the latest study indicates the viability of utilizing virtual reality technology to build up social skills in autism sufferers. The result of the study manifests that there is a remarkable increase in various social cognitive measures. This discovery implies that virtual reality might be a promising social learning instrument to help improve social cognition and skills for autistic individuals. Forty ASD participants ranging from the age of 7 to 26 will be divided into two groups of age, which are children and young adults. In total there will be 10 sessions of virtual-based intervention in which the ASD participants will be guided by a coach and a researcher. Each of session has its own social objectives that need to be accomplished by the participants. There will be a pre-test and post-test to measure the progress of each of the participants' social skills and cognition. This research will be conducted for approximately three months in the hope that virtual reality can be deemed a useful therapy for ASD individuals.