title: Virtual reality social cognition training for young adults with high-functioning autism.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Center for BrainHealth®, University of Texas at Dallas, 2200 W. Mockingbird Lane, Dallas, TX 75235, USA. drmkandalaft@gmail.com
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Kandalaft
authors.forename: Nyaz
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Didehbani
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Krawczyk
authors.forename: Tandra T
authors.initials: TT
authors.lastname: Allen
authors.forename: Sandra B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Chapman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020817:Asperger Syndrome / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003071:Cognition; D056348:Emotional Intelligence; D006801:Humans; D012917:Social Adjustment; D012919:Social Behavior; D012938:Social Perception; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult