Speech and Language Therapists perspectives of Virtual Reality as a clinical tool for autism: a cross-sectional survey

Speech and Language Therapists’ perspectives of Virtual Reality as a clinical tool for autism: a cross-sectional survey.

Background: While VR is emerging as an SLT intervention, its application for autism remains unexamined in clinical practice. Therefore, this research examines SLTs knowledge and attitudes towards VR as an intervention for autistic children and explores the reasons for its limited integration into clinical practice.

Aims: To explore Speech and Language Therapists’ knowledge and attitudes towards immersive virtual reality as a clinical tool for autistic children.

Methods and Procedures: An online cross-sectional questionnaire was available from 3rd April 2023 until 30th June 2023. The survey, consisting of 23 questions, focused on VR knowledge, attitudes and the support required by SLTs to incorporate VR into clinical practice. Dissemination occurred through the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Clinical Excellence Networks to recruit Speech Therapists specialising in autism.

Outcomes & Results: Analysis included a total of 53 responses from the cross-sectional survey. Approximately 92% of SLTs were aware of VR but had not used it, and 1.8% had used VR with autistic children. Three key themes emerged: (1) Mixed general knowledge of VR, (2) Positive and negative attitudes towards VR, with uncertainty about autism specific considerations and (3) SLTs require an improved neuro-affirming evidence base, guidelines, and training to adopt VR into clinical practice.

Conclusions & Implications: SLTs require support from employers, funding, a robust neuro-affirming evidence base and education and training to adopt VR into practice. This study establishes a foundation for future co-design, development, and implementation of VR applications as clinical tools for autistic children.

Relevance to conference: Cross-disciplinary partnerships are vital to make tools relevant to service user needs. While this research focusses on Speech and Language Therapists, it highlights a gap in research for developers. This may facilitate future co-design with autistic children to ideate and prototype a neuro-affirming therapeutic tool that is equitable and caters to individual's unique needs. This is likely to lead to improved health outcomes that are important to the autistic population.