Immersive Virtual Reality to Improve Police Interaction Skills in Adolescents and Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Preliminary Results of a Phase I Feasibility and Safety Trial

Individuals with social and cognitive challenges, including autism spectrum disorder (ASD), are at elevated risk of poor outcomes when interacting with police. This paper describes safety and feasibility testing for an immersive virtual reality (VR) application designed to teach essential skills for interacting with law enforcement (Floreo Police Safety Module; PSM). First, we present evidence that using immersive VR in verbally able adolescents and adults with ASD is feasible. Of 28 participants, 100% were able to complete one session of Floreo PSM. Second, we show that Floreo PSM is safe; no severe adverse events occurred during or after study participation. Third, we report that Floreo PSM is highly usable. An industry-standard measure of usability - the System Usability Scale (SUS) - was carefully modified to meet the particular needs of our clinical sample, resulting in an improved SUS-ASD. The SUS-ASD demonstrates good internal reliability and broad range, with scores that are statistically independent of age, IQ, and autism symptomology. In Phase II of this government-funded research project, we will test the efficacy of Floreo PSM to improve targeted behaviors during a live police interaction, and will conduct a community-based randomized controlled trial that lays the groundwork for deploying Floreo PSM to schools, homes, clinics, prisons, and halfway houses. The long-term goals of this project are to improve safety outcomes for vulnerable civilians while reducing stress on law enforcement personnel.