Learning in Virtual Reality: Opportunities and challenges for using virtual reality in schools for young autistic people

Abstract

In this paper I outline the argument for using virtual reality head-mounted displays with autistic groups; especially in schools. While the potential for using VR HMDs with autistic groups is not new (there have been studies addressing this since 1996), the evidence-based remains somewhat limited. There have been few studies that systematically examine the full potential of VR for autistic groups and even fewer that place autistic groups (and their stakeholders) at the centre of research using VR. Therefore this talk (and short paper) will present, examine and discuss some data that we have gathered in schools with autistic groups (and their teachers) to better understand whether VR is a comfortable, wearable technology, for people with sensory concerns, whether VR material is reported as being comfortable and/or useful, and finally if and how VR might be used by autistic groups. Implications for practice will also be presented.