Description
Technology is transforming how we understand and support autistic clients—from virtual reality and robotics to apps that build emotional regulation, social engagement, and executive function.
You’ll learn:
- How VR, AR, and gamified platforms can strengthen social, emotional, cognitive, and motor skills
- Evidence-based teletherapy adaptations and remote coaching strategies for continuity of care
- Ways to leverage apps and assistive tech to support sleep, routines, and regulation
- Principles of digital inclusion and accessibility to reduce inequities in service delivery
Faculty
Dr. Aditi Mehra, is a pediatric occupational therapist with a Doctorate in health sciences who is leaving an indelible impact across diverse therapeutic settings. Dr. Mehra serves as adjunct professor at Lewis University and is the director at the esteemed Chicago Fit Learning Lab. Dr. Mehra has over 25 years of experience working with children and teens with ASD, ADHD, learning disorders, and other neurodevelopmental conditions. She is passionate about improving trauma-informed care and cultural competency across therapeutic settings. In addition to her work as an occupational therapist, Dr. Mehra holds a certification in behavior analysis and has obtained certificates in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and Trauma-Focused ACT. She provides continuing education presentations for various allied health groups in her community and across the nation.
Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Aditi Mehra has an employment relationship with Northern Illinois Association and receives compensation as a continuing education content creator and presenter. She receives a speaking honorarium and recording royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Aditi Mehra has no non-financial relationships.
Additional Info
Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)
Access never expires for this product.
Objectives
- Examine how emerging digital tools—including virtual and augmented reality, gamified platforms, and assistive technologies—can enhance social connection, emotional regulation, and cognitive growth in autistic individuals.
- Differentiate evidence-based telehealth and remote coaching strategies that maintain engagement, promote generalization, and improve continuity of care for neurodivergent clients.
- Evaluate ethical, accessibility, and inclusion considerations to ensure safe, equitable, and effective integration of technology-enhanced interventions across clinical settings.
Outline
The Digital Shift in Autism Intervention
- From traditional therapy to tech-enhanced models
- Benefits: Engagement, generalization, accessibility
- Challenges: Digital overload, ethics, privacy, cost
- Poll – Which digital tools do you currently use in practice?
Immersive Technologies: VR, AR & Gamification
- VR social skills training: Simulated environments for conversation practice
- AR applications: Interactive overlays for social cue recognition
- Gamified therapy: Motivation through points, levels, avatars
- Motor skill development through interactive VR and motion-based games
- Case vignette: Using VR for job interview readiness in a teen with autism
Evidence-Based Telehealth and Remote Coaching
- Maintaining engagement and rapport remotely
- Visual schedules, screen-sharing, parent-led carryover
- Digital coaching models: Project ImPACT online, ECHO Autism
- Case scenario: How would you coach a parent through sensory routines via telehealth?
AI, Apps & Assistive Technology for Daily Routines
- ChatGPT, Replika, or Emotion AI for communication support
- Routinely, Todo Visual Schedule, Headspace Kids to support executive functions
- Wearable tech: Biofeedback bracelets for self-regulation
- Assistive communication: Proloquo2Go, CoughDrop, Avaz AI AAC.
- Video Demo: ChatGPT to help create individualized visual schedules or home programs
Digital Inclusion, Accessibility & Ethics
- Designing for neurodiversity: Predictable interfaces, sensory-friendly visuals, multimodal feedback
- Addressing digital inequities: Access, training, affordability
- Ethical concerns: Data privacy, consent, overreliance on tech
- Discussion: How can we make digital interventions equitable for all families?
Integration & Application
- Video Demo of 1 VR application: Floreo VR – Virtual Reality Social Skills
Risks and Limitations of Tech-Enhanced Interventions
- Evidence limitations
- Practical & Ethical Considerations
- Clinical Takeaway: Technology is a tool, not a treatment.
- Resource list : AI Prompt Pack for Autism Support in OT (free download)
Target Audience
- Counsellors
- Educators
- Marriage and Family Therapists
- Occupational Therapists
- Physical Therapists
- Physicians
- Psychologists
- Social Workers
- Speech-Language Pathologists
