The Application of Extended Reality in Treating Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Weijia Zhao1 · Song Xu2 · Yanan Zhang3 · Dandan Li4 · Chunyan Zhu3,4,7 · Kai Wang3,5,6,7,81 First Clinical Medical College, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
2 School of Biomedical Engineering, Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
3 School of Mental Health and Psychological Sciences, Anhui Medical University, China, Hefei 230032, China
4 Research Center for Translational Medicine, The Second Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230000, China
5 Department of Neurology, The First Afliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Hefei 230032, China
6 Collaborative Innovation Center of Neuropsychiatric Disorders and Mental Health, Hefei 230032, China
7 Institute of Artifcial Intelligence, Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center, Hefei 230088, China
8 Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Cognition and Neuropsychiatric Disorders, Hefei 230032, China
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, characterized by social interaction, communication difficulties, and repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Existing intervention methods have limitations, such as requiring long treatment periods and needing to be more convenient to implement. Extended Reality (XR) technology offers a virtual environment to enhance children's social, communication, and self-regulation skills. This paper compares XR theoretical models, application examples, and intervention effects. The study reveals that XR intervention therapy is mainly based on cognitive rehabilitation, teaching, and social-emotional learning theories. It utilizes algorithms, models, artificial intelligence (AI), eye-tracking, and other technologies for interaction, achieving diverse intervention outcomes. Participants showed effective improvement in competency barriers using XR-based multimodal interactive platforms. However, Mixed Reality (MR) technology still requires further development. Future research should explore multimsodal interaction technologies combining XR and AI, optimize models, prioritize the development of MR intervention scenarios, and sustain an optimal intervention level.
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorde; Extended reality; Multimodal interaction technologies; Intervention model; Treatment efectiveness evaluation
