Using a virtual reality suite can help people with autism overcome crippling phobias and allow them to live more normal lives, researchers have found.
By experiencing the thing that terrifies them, but in a safe environment, eight out of nine children were able to tackle the situation they feared, Newcastle University said. Four of them were found to have totally overcome their phobia.
The treatment involved sitting in a room walled with screens which, using virtual reality technology, can be transformed into the situation that the patient fears.
After using relaxation techniques, and sitting alongside a psychologist, the child can be gradually introduced to the scenario.
People with autism often suffer from phobias which are so acute they and their families will avoid the situation.
Scenarios created at the Blue Room suite in Gateshead include getting on a busy bus, crossing a high bridge, talking to a shop assistant or going shopping.
Phobias have a huge impact on a child with autism and on the whole family
The study, published in the journal Plos One, focused on nine boys aged between seven and 13.
Jeremy Parr, Clinical Senior Lecturer specialising in Paediatric Neurodisability at Newcastle University’s Institute of Neuroscience said: “Phobias have a huge impact on a child with autism and on the whole family.Parents often find themselves taking action to avoid the situation the child fears, which can impact school and leisure activities.
“Currently the main treatment is cognitive behaviour therapy but that often doesn’t work for a child with autism as it relies on imagination which they often find difficult.”
The screens in the suite create a 360 degree seamless world, without the need for the child to wear a headset or goggles. A tablet is used to move around the scene, allowing them to explore the situation they have previously found traumatic as parents watch from outside via a videolink.
Researcher Morag Maskey said: “One boy was fearful of shopping and with the help of the psychologist who was in the room with him, he learnt to control his anxiety with breathing and stretching exercises.He then built up confidence over four sessions until he held a conversation with the shop assistant avatar.
“At home his parents encouraged him to do more of the shopping on his own and use the techniques they had seen him practice.
“The therapy was so successful that he is now able to go shopping with his friends.”
Parr added: “Parents told us that they could see the difference in their children over the course of the four-session programme – their children are now much better at coping with the situations that they once found distressing.
“Twelve months later, the children are still able to cope.”