Virtual Reality (VR) is rapidly developing into a valuable tool for neurodivergent individuals. In particular, the latest generation of VR technology, featuring six degrees of freedom (6DoF), offers unique opportunities for training social skills and increasing self-reliance among children and adolescents with, for example, autism.
What is neurodivergence and why is social skills training so important?
Neurodivergence is an umbrella term for people whose brains function differently from the average. This includes, among others, autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental differences. For many neurodivergent people, social situations are challenging and sometimes overwhelming. Traditional therapies provide support, but are not always sufficient for learning complex social skills. Autism is a well-known example of this: people with autism often experience difficulties in social communication, interaction, and repetitive behaviors.
Executive functions: a hidden challenge
In addition to social skills, neurodivergent people often struggle with limitations in executive functions, such as planning, impulse control, and cognitive flexibility. VR offers a solution here: research shows that VR training with specific tasks (such as the Stroop task in virtual environments) improves attention, inhibition, and problem-solving abilities, even in people with acquired brain injury (Dahdah et al., 2017)
Virtual Reality as an innovative solution
VR technology creates a safe, controlled, and repeatable learning environment in which social situations can be practiced without the pressure of real life. Users wear a VR headset and move around in a digital world, where they can practice interactions, make mistakes, and receive immediate feedback. This reduces the fear of rejection or overstimulation and makes it possible to practice customized scenarios that match the user’s level and needs.
The power of 6DoF: maximum freedom of movement and realism
The introduction of 6DoF technology means that users can not only look around, but also move freely and interact within a virtual space. This leads to a much more realistic and active learning process, allowing for intensive practice of complex social situations and executive functions. Recent research confirms that especially children and adolescents with, for example, autism benefit from these immersive forms of VR. They can, for instance, practice making eye contact, recognizing emotions, and having conversations in lifelike simulations. (Yang et al., 2025).
Main advantages of 6DoF VR for neurodivergent people
-
Safe, motivating learning environment: Practice without social pressure or fear of making mistakes.
-
Repeatability: Scenarios can be practiced over and over again, which is essential for the learning process in neurodivergence.
- Transfer to daily life: Due to the realism of 6DoF VR, there is a greater chance that acquired skills can also be applied outside the virtual world. (Yang et al., 2025).
- Executive function training: VR scenarios such as Virtual OV train planning skills, problem-solving abilities, and stress management in real-life situations such as public transportation.
Practical applications and scientific evidence
In the Netherlands and Belgium, VR is increasingly being used in healthcare and education, for example for social skills training, increasing self-reliance in public transport, and improving collaboration in the workplace. Systematic reviews, such as that of Yang et al. (2025), show that VR interventions lead to measurable progress in eye contact, social interaction, and emotional recognition among neurodivergent children and adolescents, with autism being a frequently cited example. Adults also benefit from VR training, for instance when practicing teamwork skills in group settings
Research using the Stroop-taak in VR shows that distracting elements (such as moving objects or sounds) in a virtual living room environment can be used to train executive functions like attention, cognitive flexibility, and inhibition in people with brain injury (Dahdah et al., 2017). This method is also increasingly applied to neurodivergent groups such as those with autism and ADHD.
“The effect of Virtual OV is greater than you might think at first glance. Because our young people develop more self-confidence, they dare to take on new situations.”
· Dmitri Hazes, KopZorg
Conclusion
Virtual Reality, and especially 6DoF technology, offers neurodivergent people a powerful, motivating, and safe way to develop social and executive skills. By combining realism, repeatability, and customization, VR is becoming an essential tool in supporting people with autism and other neurodivergent conditions. The positive results from recent research (Yang et al., 2025). underscore the value and future potential of VR in healthcare and education
Sources
Yang X, Wu J, Ma Y, et al. Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Technology Interventions in Improving the Social Skills of Children and Adolescents With Autism: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res. 2025;27:e60845. Published 2025 Feb 5. doi:10.2196/60845
https://www.jmir.org/2025/1/e60845
Dahdah MN, et al. Virtual Reality Stroop Task for Neurocognitive Assessment. Stud Health Technol Inform. 2017;245:131–135.
