Virtual Reality and Autism Spectrum Disorder: Emergence of Sensory-Motor and Olfactory Potentialities in an Anthropocentric Epistemological Approach

Abstract

The work presented in this paper is part of an innovative program including researchers from computer science, psychology, and education science. The aim is to propose immersive virtual environments to develop autonomy skills of young adults with autism having specific visual, psycho-sensorial, and cognitive capabilities. Several skills towards a progressive autonomy are thus targeted: interactions and social skills, verbal or alternative communication, perception-action coupling, and joint attention. In this context, a virtual supermarket has been developed, allowing participants to be confronted with shopping activity.