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Committee Members

Jodi Johnston, M.Ed. ; Kelle DeBoth-Foust PhD, OTR/L

Abstract

Over 90% of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder face sensory processing challenges. Virtual environments can trigger adaptive sensory responses akin to real-world experiences. This preliminary study explored how students with autism interact within virtual settings. Conducted at Julie Billiart Schools, where over 75% of students have autism and sensory differences, the project involved 35 participants aged 6-14 in six VR sessions. Data on Zones of Regulation, affect, and behaviors were collected. Results showed VR was enjoyable, with highly significant post-VR changes in Zone of Regulation (p<0.001). This suggests VR holds promise as a therapeutic tool for self-regulation in children with ASD.

Creative Commons License

Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

Publication Date

Spring 2024

Keywords

autism, ASD, sensory processing, virtual reality, VR, self regulation, occupational therapy, virtual therapeutics, zones of regulation, immersive technology

Disciplines

Occupational Therapy

Investigating How Children with Autism Respond to Virtual Environments

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