Insights and Updates

Virtual worlds offer a unique platform for improving social skills, especially for neurodivergent individuals and those with social phobia. These environments provide a safe space to practice communication and build confidence. Research in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders highlights how virtual interactions can increase empathy and social understanding (Zhang et al., 2019, pp. 199–211).

The immersive nature of virtual worlds allows users to engage in social scenarios without the pressure of real-world interactions. This can be particularly beneficial for individuals with autism, as it provides opportunities to practice social skills in a controlled environment (Ke et al., 2022, pp. 1178–1209). The use of avatars and virtual settings can help users navigate social cues and develop better communication strategies.

Moreover, virtual environments can simulate real-life social situations, offering users the chance to rehearse and refine their social interactions. A study in JMIR Formative Research found that virtual reality systems can enhance self-efficacy and social skills among individuals with autism by providing realistic social scenarios (Kim et al., 2023).

These digital platforms also allow for repeated practice, which is crucial for skill development. The ability to engage in social interactions repeatedly in a virtual setting can lead to improved social competence and confidence over time (Zamanifard & Robb, 2023).

In summary, virtual worlds provide a valuable tool for enhancing social skills. By offering a safe and controlled environment for practice, they can help individuals overcome social challenges and build meaningful connections.

References

Ke, F., Moon, J., & Zlatko Sokolikj. (2022). Designing and deploying a virtual social sandbox for autistic children. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Designing-and-deploying-a-virtual-social-sandbox-Ke-Moon/5359e1b3b50995e8bfefb429dce1cbe1f6205b69

Kim, S.-I., Jang, S., Kim, T., Kim, B., Jeong, D., Noh, T., Jeong, M., Hall, K., Kim, M., Yoo, H., Han, K., Hong, H., & Kim, J. G. (2023). Promoting Self-Efficacy of Individuals With Autism in Practicing Social Skills in the Workplace Using Virtual Reality and Physiological Sensors: Mixed Methods Study. JMIR Formative Research. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Promoting-Self-Efficacy-of-Individuals-With-Autism-Kim-Jang/0c033c6cd76985698a9f4396d31d7bfb5c11ec96

Samaneh Zamanifard, & Robb, A. C. (2023). Social Virtual Reality Is My Therapist: Overcoming Social Anxiety Disorder Through Using Social Virtual Reality. Extended Abstracts of the 2023 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Social-Virtual-Reality-Is-My-Therapist%3A-Overcoming-Zamanifard-Robb/0fb489e52969d66f91d1678b56e1dff2e875ab80

Zhang, L., Weitlauf, A. S., Amat, A. Z., Swanson, A., Warren, Z., & Sarkar, N. (2019). Assessing Social Communication and Collaboration in Autism Spectrum Disorder Using Intelligent Collaborative Virtual Environments. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Assessing-Social-Communication-and-Collaboration-in-Zhang-Weitlauf/34c54e40e9b08467d26000059b978ff8c91bdbd8