Exploring the Possibilities of Music Therapy in Virtual Reality: Social Skills Training for Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by profound communication and social interaction deficits. This can lead to social anxiety and depressive thought patterns, leaving the individual unable to be a productive member of society. Music therapy is a method that applies musical experiences and the relationships that develop through the sessions to train communication skills, thus addressing one of the core deficits of ASD. However, music therapy requires musical instruments that are not always easily accessible as well as an anxiety-inducing experience.
In this paper, we present a virtual reality application designed to allow a music therapist to work on social skills with a child with ASD in a virtual environment through musical activities. The application is designed in collaboration with two music therapists and two psychologist, and includes a qualitative evaluation of the application.