Virtual reality social cognition training for young adults with high-functioning autism
Open accessAbstract
Few evidence-based social interventions exist for young adults with high-functioning autism, many of whom encounter significant challenges during the transition into adulthood. The current study investigated the feasibility of an engaging Virtual Reality Social Cognition Training intervention focused on enhancing social skills, social cognition, and social functioning. Eight young adults diagnosed with high-functioning autism completed 10 sessions across 5 weeks. Significant increases on social cognitive measures of theory of mind and emotion recognition, as well as in real life social and occupational functioning were found post-training. These findings suggest that the virtual reality platform is a promising tool for improving social skills, cognition, and functioning in autism.
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Some patients may prefer interacting with an AI carebot rather than a human care provider as care seekers would feel less anxious when discussing intimate private issues with a carebot.
“Some patients may therefore prefer interacting with an AI carebot rather than a human care provider as care seekers would feel less anxious when discussing intimate private issues with a carebot (Kandalaft et al., 2013).”
From SHIFTing artificial intelligence to be responsible in healthcare: a systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as Kandalaft et al., 2013
Humanized AI applications such as AI carebots can be immune to the personal biases that human therapists may have and thus their consultations may result in a more detached, objective point of view.
“In addition, humanized AI applications such as AI carebots can be immune to the personal biases that human therapists may have and thus their consultations may result in a more detached, objective point of view.”
From SHIFTing artificial intelligence to be responsible in healthcare: a systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as Kandalaft et al., 2013
Some patients may prefer interacting with an AI carebot rather than a human care provider.
“Some patients may therefore prefer interacting with an AI carebot rather than a human care provider as care seekers would feel less anxious when discussing intimate private issues with a carebot (Kandalaft et al., 2013).”
From SHIFTing artificial intelligence to be responsible in healthcare: a systematic review (2022) · cites this paper as Kandalaft et al., 2013
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- Authors
- Kandalaft, M. R., Didehbani, N., Krawczyk, D. C., Allen, T. T., & Chapman, S. B.
- Affiliations
- The University of Texas at Dallas (US)
- Corresponding author
- Kandalaft, Michelle R.
- Venue
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Published
- 2012-05-09
- Volume
- 43
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 34-44
- ISSN
- 0162-3257 (ISSN-L)
- 1573-3432
- PMC
- PMC3536992
- OpenAlex
- W2046201394
- Cited by
- 697
- References
- 38
- Citations by year
- 2026: 30 · 2025: 62 · 2024: 46 · 2023: 51 · 2022: 66 · 2021: 79 · 2020: 70 · 2019: 66 · 2018: 55 · 2017: 55 · 2016: 46 · 2015: 29 · 2014: 31 · 2013: 9 · 2012: 1
- FWCI
- 11.48
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- hybrid
- doi.org
- Locations
- Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders (publishedVersion, cc-by)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
- PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Social Robot Interaction and HRI
- Keywords
- high-functioning autism, virtual reality, social cognition training, social skills, theory of mind, emotion recognition, young adults, coming of age, social functioning, occupational functioning, feasibility
- MeSH terms
- Adolescent, Adult, Autistic Disorder, Cognition, Humans, Social Adjustment, Social Behavior, Social Perception, User-Computer Interface, Treatment Outcome, Asperger Syndrome, Young Adult, Emotional Intelligence, Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
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