Characterizing Balance and Postural Control in Children with Autism Using Virtual Reality Technology
The purpose of this study is to characterize balance and postural control in children with autism spectrum disorder and those with typical development. Participants will be asked to complete one lab visit. During this visit, parents will be asked to complete questionnaires about their family demographics and child behaviors, and their child's balance performance will be assessed using a virtual reality-based balance assessment. We are recruiting two groups of parents and children with ages ranging between 5-15 years to participate in this study. One group will include children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders and their parents and the other group will be typically developing children who have no developmental, neurological or medical conditions and their parents.
• children 7 to 15 years old
• confirmed diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder by a licensed healthcare provider who administered ADOS
• able to maintain standing position
• able to follow instructions
• children with typical development who have no history of developmental, neurological or orthopedic problems will serve as a comparison group
• a significant medical, behavioral, neurological, psychiatric condition (e.g. anxiety) that preclude balance assessment
• balance assessment (e.g., chronic motion sickness)
• visual/hearing impairment
• children on medications that could impact one’s ability to maintain standing balance
• children with parents unable to communicate in English at a level to provide informed consent
Children's Health
7-15 years, children with autism, typically developing children, VR