Virtual Reality for Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
Empowering Every Learner Through Inclusive, Immersive Education
Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) can impact each child's ability to learn differently.
Using virtual reality, teachers can create personalized learning or regulated environments to meet the needs of every student in creative, innovative and fun ways.
How We Serve
Emotional Regulation
Supporting students who are overstimulated or are in overstimulated environments is important to reduce the likelihood of the individual becoming heightened or a crisis occurring in the classroom.
Students can experience an array of 360-images or videos that support the needs of each individual student. The immersive experience eases and allows them to return to the classroom able to focus and learn.
Building Confidence
Visiting a new environment for the first time, going on school trips and transitioning throughout a school can be stressful for SEND students, especially for those who are autistic.
Students can experience personalized 360-degree videos of new environments, where they can explore, build confidence and become familiar with the environments before even leaving the classroom.
New Experiences
For students with limited mobility, some trips or activities their peers experience may be inaccessible or impractical.
Students can be immersed in previously inaccessible places and even experience the same opportunities as their peers through custom 360-images and videos directly from the classroom and reliving them whenever they choose.
The Benefits of Virtual Reality in SEND Scenarios
Safe and Controlled Environment
- Reduced Sensory Overload: Many children with autism experience sensory sensitivities. VR allows educators and caregivers to create customized environments where sensory input (sounds, lights, visuals) can be controlled to avoid overwhelming the child.
- Gradual Exposure: VR can introduce children to new experiences gradually, allowing them to interact with potentially stressful situations (e.g., social gatherings or public places) in a safe, virtual setting before transitioning to real-world environments.
Improving Social Skills
- Social Interaction Practice: VR can simulate social scenarios, giving autistic children opportunities to practice social interactions in a low-pressure environment. For instance, children can rehearse how to greet someone, maintain eye contact, or engage in conversation.
- Role-Playing: Children can practice role-playing with avatars or virtual characters, helping them understand social cues, body language, and emotional expressions—skills that can be challenging for those on the autism spectrum.
Development of Communication Skills
- Non-Verbal Communication: VR can teach autistic children about facial expressions, gestures, and body language by allowing them to interact with virtual characters who exhibit these cues. It helps them recognize and interpret non-verbal communication.
- Speech Therapy Support: VR environments can be used to supplement speech therapy, enabling children to practice language skills in a structured setting where they receive real-time feedback and reinforcement.
Enhancing Focus and Engagement
- Capturing Attention: VR’s immersive nature helps engage children with autism, who may otherwise struggle to focus in traditional learning environments. The interactivity of VR can maintain their attention more effectively than textbooks or lectures.
- Customizable Content: Lessons and activities can be tailored to the child's interests and cognitive level, helping them stay engaged and motivated. The interactive and visual elements of VR can make learning more exciting and relatable.
Emotional Regulation and Stress Management
- Relaxation Exercises: VR can create calming environments, such as peaceful nature scenes, which can be used to help children regulate their emotions and practice mindfulness. This is particularly helpful when they are feeling anxious or overstimulated.
- Exposure to Difficult Situations: Through VR, children can be gradually exposed to anxiety-inducing situations (e.g., doctor visits, crowded places) to help them build coping strategies in a controlled, virtual setting.
Enhancing Daily Living Skills
- Real-World Scenarios: VR can simulate daily activities, such as crossing the street, going grocery shopping, or using public transportation. By practicing these activities in a virtual world, children can gain confidence and develop the skills they need to navigate real-world situations.
- Life Skills Development: Autistic children can learn essential life skills, like brushing teeth or preparing meals, through interactive and guided simulations, helping them build independence.
Encouraging Creativity and Self-Expression
- Artistic Exploration: For children who have difficulty expressing themselves verbally, VR can offer creative outlets through virtual art, music, or design tools. This allows them to express emotions and ideas in a way that may feel more comfortable than traditional methods.
- Storytelling and Role-Playing: VR also provides opportunities for storytelling and role-playing, encouraging children to express themselves in ways that develop imagination and creativity.
Facilitating Social Collaboration
Cooperative Play: VR can be used for group activities, where autistic children engage with others in virtual environments to complete tasks or play games. This promotes cooperation, teamwork, and shared experiences with peers.
Avatar-Based Interaction: Some children with autism may feel more comfortable interacting with avatars or virtual characters, helping them engage socially without the pressure of face-to-face contact.
Personalized Learning and Therapies
- Individualized Learning: VR can be customized to fit each child’s specific needs, learning pace, and preferences. It allows educators and therapists to create tailored programs that meet the unique challenges faced by autistic children.
- Data and Progress Tracking: VR systems can record interactions and responses, giving caregivers and educators valuable data to track a child's progress. This can help adjust interventions and therapies based on real-time feedback.
Increasing Empathy and Understanding from Others
Understanding Autism: VR can also be used to help neurotypical children and adults better understand the experiences of autistic individuals. Through VR simulations, they can experience the world as someone with autism might, fostering greater empathy and inclusivity in schools and communities.
Case Studies
University of Texas (2018)
Examined how VR can improve social skills in children with autism by immersing them in virtual environments for practicing real-world interactions.
Findings
- Significant improvements in social engagement and emotional recognition.
- Better initiation of conversations and understanding of social cues.
- Improved ability to recognize facial expressions.
- Parents observed behavioral improvements in maintaining eye contact and engaging with others during real-world interactions.
Floreo (2020)
Investigated the use of VR platforms to teach emotion recognition, social cues, and conversational skills to autistic children.
Findings
- Enhanced ability to recognize facial expressions and interpret social interactions.
- Significant improvements in emotional understanding and conversational engagement.
- 90% of parents reported better social behaviors, including initiating interactions and appropriate conversational responses.
University of Birmingham (2019)
Focused on using VR in school settings to help autistic children improve social communication skills and engagement in group scenarios.
Findings
- Marked improvements in initiating and sustaining conversations with peers.
- Increased confidence and willingness to participate in group activities.
- Reduction in feelings of social isolation.
- Better navigation of complex social environments, such as playgrounds and classrooms.
Stanford University (2021)
Investigated how immersive VR platforms improve cognitive functioning and focus in autistic children through interactive, problem-solving activities.
Findings
- Significant gains in problem-solving abilities and task completion rates.
- Improved attention spans and engagement levels, with a 30% increase in sustained focus.
- Participants were more willing to tackle challenges and demonstrated better critical thinking skills.
Cambridge University (2021)
Comprehensive review of VR applications in autism therapy, including its impact on social communication and sensory integration.
Findings
- Improved social communication skills by allowing children to practice safe interactions and interpret non-verbal cues.
- Reduced sensory overstimulation through controlled VR environments.
- Gradual exposure to anxiety-inducing situations helped reduce anxiety and build confidence.
- Enhanced overall engagement through customizable, individualized learning environments.
Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking (2020)
Examined the use of VR head-mounted displays (HMDs) in classrooms for children on the autism spectrum, focusing on device preferences, physical experiences, and potential applications of VR in educational settings.
Findings
- VR was seen as useful for relaxation and calming activities, exploring virtual environments to prepare for real-world visits (reducing anxiety), and enriching educational opportunities through immersive learning experiences.
- Implications highlight the potential for VR to support sensory needs, emotional regulation, anxiety management, and unique, engaging learning opportunities in schools.
