Enhancing fundamental skill development and motivation in children with autism spectrum disorder using virtual reality

This paper explores the application and impact of Virtual Reality (VR) in facilitating the development of fundamental skills in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Over a period involving 36 intensive sessions, a VR application was used in a controlled and distraction-free environment. Our observations revealed a significant increase in children's interest in lessons, parental involvement, as well as improvements in essential skills, such as visual tracking, pointing accuracy, reading line retention, and overall concentration. Notably, there was a marked enhancement in children's attention span and perseverance during tasks, crucial abilities often challenging for these children. These findings suggest the substantial potential of VR in supportive and educational settings for children with ASD and other neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the need for ongoing research and development to optimize the use of VR in these contexts was also highlighted.