Speech and Language Therapists' Perspectives of Virtual Reality as a Clinical Tool for Autism: Cross-Sectional Survey.

Q2 Medicine
Jodie Mills, Orla Duffy
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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Background: Persistent difficulties with social skills form part of the diagnostic criteria for autism and in the past have required speech and language therapy (SLT) management. However, many speech and language therapists are moving toward neuro-affirmative practices, meaning that social skills approaches are now becoming redundant. Research demonstrates that virtual reality (VR) interventions have shown promise in overcoming challenges and promoting skill generalization for autistic children; however, the majority of these focus on social skills interventions. While VR is emerging as an SLT intervention, its application for autism remains unexamined in clinical practice.

Objective: This research aimed to examine speech and language therapists' knowledge and attitudes toward immersive VR as a clinical tool for autistic children and explore the reasons for its limited integration into clinical practice.

Methods: A web-based cross-sectional survey was available from April 3, 2023 to June 30, 2023. The survey, consisting of 23 questions, focused on VR knowledge, attitudes, and the support required by speech and language therapists to incorporate VR into clinical practice. Dissemination occurred through the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists Clinical Excellence Networks to recruit speech therapists specializing in autism.

Results: Analysis included a total of 53 responses from the cross-sectional survey. Approximately 92% (n=49) of speech and language therapists were aware of VR but had not used it, and 1.82% (n=1) had used VR with autistic children. Three key themes that emerged were (1) mixed general knowledge of VR, which was poor in relation to applications for autism; (2) positive and negative attitudes toward VR, with uncertainty about autism specific considerations for VR; and (3) barriers to adoption were noted and speech and language therapists required an improved neuro-affirming evidence base, guidelines, and training to adopt VR into clinical practice.

Conclusions: While some speech and language therapists perceive VR as a promising intervention tool for autistic children, various barriers must be addressed before its full integration into the clinical toolkit. This study establishes a foundation for future co-design, development, and implementation of VR applications as clinical tools for autistic children., This study is the first to explore clinical implementation factors for the use of VR in SLT field, specifically with autistic children. Poor autism-specific VR knowledge, and mixed attitudes toward VR, highlight that specific barriers must be addressed before the technology can successfully integrate into the SLT clinical toolkit., Speech and language therapists require support from employers, funding, a robust neuro-affirming evidence base, and education and training to adopt VR into practice. Recommendations for a SLT VR education and training program for use with autistic children, are provided.

语音和语言治疗师对虚拟现实作为自闭症临床工具的看法:横断面调查。
背景:持续的社交技能困难是自闭症诊断标准的一部分,过去需要言语和语言治疗(SLT)管理。然而,许多言语和语言治疗师正在转向神经肯定疗法,这意味着社交技巧疗法现在变得多余了。研究表明,虚拟现实(VR)干预在自闭症儿童克服挑战和促进技能泛化方面显示出希望;然而,其中大多数侧重于社交技能干预。虽然VR正在成为一种SLT干预手段,但其在自闭症中的应用仍未在临床实践中得到检验。目的:本研究旨在考察言语和语言治疗师对沉浸式VR作为自闭症儿童临床工具的认识和态度,并探讨其在临床实践中的应用有限的原因。方法:于2023年4月3日至2023年6月30日进行基于网络的横断面调查。该调查由23个问题组成,重点关注VR知识、态度以及语音和语言治疗师将VR纳入临床实践所需的支持。传播是通过皇家言语和语言治疗师临床卓越网络学院来招募专门研究自闭症的言语治疗师。结果:分析共包括53份来自横断面调查的回复。大约92% (n=49)的言语和语言治疗师知道VR但没有使用它,1.82% (n=1)的人在自闭症儿童中使用VR。出现了三个关键主题:(1)VR的一般知识混合,这与自闭症的应用有关;(2)对虚拟现实的积极和消极态度,自闭症对虚拟现实的具体考虑不确定;(3)注意到采用VR的障碍,言语和语言治疗师需要改进神经确认的证据基础、指南和培训,才能将VR应用于临床实践。结论:虽然一些言语和语言治疗师认为VR是一种很有前途的自闭症儿童干预工具,但在将其完全融入临床工具包之前,必须解决各种障碍。本研究为未来共同设计、开发和实施VR应用程序作为自闭症儿童的临床工具奠定了基础。本研究首次探讨了虚拟现实在SLT领域,特别是自闭症儿童中应用的临床实施因素。自闭症特定的VR知识贫乏,以及对VR的不同态度,突出了在技术成功整合到SLT临床工具包之前,必须解决特定的障碍。言语和语言治疗师需要雇主的支持、资金、强大的神经确认证据基础,以及将虚拟现实应用于实践的教育和培训。提供了针对自闭症儿童的SLT VR教育和培训计划的建议。
本文章由计算机程序翻译,如有差异,请以英文原文为准。
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来源期刊
CiteScore
4.20
自引率
0.00%
发文量
31
审稿时长
12 weeks
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