Virtual Reality Holds Promise for Reducing Phobias in Autism

In a new pilot study, adults with autism showed real-life, functional improvements following a virtual reality (VR) treatment approach in which they were gradually exposed to their fears. The VR treatment was coupled with cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Fears and phobias are common in people with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and these can have a significant impact on their ability to carry out daily activities. Graded exposure to anxiety-causing stimuli is a recognized approach for treating fears and phobias in the non-autistic population. But it has been assumed that this method would present special difficulties for people with ASD, as real-life exposure could potentially be too upsetting to allow treatment to take place. To address this, the research team developed an anxiety-targeting intervention that combined cognitive behavioral therapy with immersive virtual reality exposure.

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