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Volume 14, Issue 3
7 December 2020
Journal of Enabling Technologies Cover Image for Volume 14, Issue 3
Viewpoint| November 04 2020

The possibility and importance of immersive technologies during COVID-19 for autistic people Available to Purchase

Nigel Newbutt;
Nigel Newbutt
Department of Education and Childhood,
University of the West of England
, Bristol,
UK

Nigel Newbutt is based at the Department of Education and Childhood, University of the West of England, Bristol, UK.

Nigel Newbutt can be contacted at: nigel.newbutt@uwe.ac.uk
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Matthew M. Schmidt;
Matthew M. Schmidt
University of Florida
, Gainesville, Florida,
USA

Matthew M. Schmidt is based at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

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Giuseppe Riva;
Giuseppe Riva
Department of Psychology,
Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
, Milano,
Italy
and Atn-P. Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan,
Italy

Giuseppe Riva is based at the Department of Psychology, Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano, Italy and Atn-P. Lab, Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Milan, Italy.

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Carla Schmidt
Carla Schmidt
University of Florida
, Gainesville, Florida,
USA

Carla Schmidt is based at the University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA.

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Author & Article Information
Nigel Newbutt can be contacted at: nigel.newbutt@uwe.ac.uk
Publisher: Emerald Publishing
Received: July 24 2020
Revision Received: July 24 2020
Accepted: July 24 2020
Online ISSN: 2398-6271
Print ISSN: 2398-6263
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2020
Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only
Journal of Enabling Technologies (2020) 14 (3): 187–199.
https://doi.org/10.1108/JET-07-2020-0028
Article history
Received:
July 24 2020
Revision Received:
July 24 2020
Accepted:
July 24 2020
Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify three key areas where autistic people may find themselves impacted through COVID-19, namely, education; employment; and anxiety.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides some views based on the extensive experience of using immersive technologies for the utilisation and application with autistic groups during COVID-19.

Findings

This paper offers some examples of immersive technology application that might be helpful for practitioners, services and others to consider in overcoming possible challenges faced by people with autism.

Originality/value

This opinion piece offers expert insights to the role immersive technologies and virtual reality might play during COVID-19 in the lives of autistic groups.

Keywords:
Autism, Virtual reality, COVID-19, Autistic, Enabling technology, Immersive technology
© Emerald Publishing Limited
2020
Emerald Publishing Limited
Licensed re-use rights only
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