Exploring New Possibilities: Virtual Reality in Supporting Children with Autism

Lozano-Martel J.; Araujo-Vasquez F.; Cieza-Mostacero E. · International Journal of Advanced Computer Science and Applications (2026) · DOI: 10.14569/ijacsa.2026.0170564

Resumen

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often require structured opportunities to practice social interaction, following instructions, and recognizing emotions in safe, controlled environments. This study presents and evaluates a mobile virtual reality (VR) application designed to train these skills through simulated everyday scenarios. An applied quantitative study with an experimental design involving control and experimental groups was conducted with 10 children with ASD from the Sagrada Familia Special Basic Education Center (Trujillo, Peru). The experimental group (n=5) used a Unity 3D/C# VR application featuring four scenarios (park, store, pedestrian crossing, and emotion recognition), while the control group (n=5) followed conventional activities. Outcomes were collected through direct observation (60 records; 30 per group) and analyzed statistically, with findings interpreted cautiously due to the repeated-observation structure of the data. The post-test results showed statistically significant differences between groups, with the experimental group performing better on all evaluated indicators (social interaction, following instructions, emotion recognition, and average time to detect oncoming traffic). However, due to the small sample size and repeated observations, these findings should be interpreted as preliminary evidence. The results suggest that mobile VR may complement traditional interventions to strengthen social and emotional skills in children with ASD. © (2026), (Science and Information Organization). All rights reserved.

Instituciones: Universidad César Vallejo