Autism virtual reality education media integration in applied behavior analysis training

Abstract

This study examined the impact of autism virtual reality education (autism VR-Ed) media in enhancing college student teachers’ skills in applied behavior analysis (ABA) for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A total of 40 student teachers from Guangxi College for Preschool Education, China, participated in a three-month experiment using a 9-task autism VR-Ed media. Pre- and post-tests showed significant improvement in ABA skills, with scores rising from 18.05 (SD=3.00) to 41.10 (SD=2.25), t(39)=-48.394, p<.05. All participants achieved over 60 points, confirming effective skill acquisition. A perception survey revealed positive attitudes toward the media, highlighting its ease of use, engagement, and relevance to future professional needs. These results demonstrated the potential of VR technology to bridge the gap between theory and practice in special education by offering immersive learning experiences. Autism VR-Ed media enhanced ABA training beyond traditional methods, supporting the professional growth of special education teachers. This study contributed to integrating VR technology into special education curricula and improving teacher training quality, thereby effectively supporting the rehabilitation of children with ASD. Future research should explore the long-term benefits of VR-based training and its broader applications and assess its impact on the learning outcomes of children with ASD.