Autistic Children and Virtual Reality

Children with autism generally have problems with social interaction, language and behavior. Autistic children pay attention to the details and have a hard time focusing and grasping the main point. 

As Dr. Zappala mentioned in class about how research has shown that autistic children do better in a interactive environment. Since then I've looked up a lot of great information on it and its amazing how much these children really do benefit from it. 


There are many reasons why it has been show to help. Virtual reality and digital interaction can be designed to help the child focus and be apart of the learning process instead of just being lectured to for hours. Many have a touch screen, not as much movement and activity at a quick pace as the outside world, and less cues that can lead to distraction. 


They have used this virtual training to help social skills such as interactions with piers, crossing intersections to restaurants etc. Also in the class room it has been a tremendous success. 

“A teacher observing a child interacting in such a virtual environment may gain access to a range of behaviors from individual children that would otherwise be difficult or impossible to observe in a classroom,” Quote from a article on autism and digital technology. It just isn't possible to get those experiences like that in the class room, or is it? I think of not only those who are diagnosed with autism but those who deal with ADHD, ADD or maybe children who aren't auditory learners, who need interaction and hands on learning to really put it into memory or learn. Could this possible help more then just autistic individuals?


I know I harp on our education system quite often but as I research more on technology and the history of where our education has come and gone within the last 2 centuries, I'm finding more and more options that are plausible in a school setting. Many people think that having personal digital technology (ipads, smart phones, virtual reality games) in the class room setting will distract from the topic trying to be taught. 


What do you think? I know that in college, technology on my lap can totally help me stay on task and learn better but many times it really does distract me because there are so many things I could do on that piece of technology (my computer). 


If virtual realities and digital technology can help autistic children, why not everyone?