Immersive applications: What if users are in the autism spectrum? An experience of headsets engagement evaluation with ASD users

Domain experts generally agree on the potential of VR-based treatment aimed at improving emotional competencies and social skills in individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The need arises for Immersive Virtual Environments evaluation frameworks appropriate for this specific user population. In this paper we sketch results of a study focused on engagement, with the multifold objective of (1) evaluating two headsets differing in the degree to which the physical world is cutout from the view (Oculus Rift and HoloLens) to study their general appropriateness with respect to possible VR-based ASD people treatment, (2) reasoning about the interpretation of selected measured engagement aspects in the cases of Typically Development people and ASD people, and (3) outlining the nature of VR-based possible ASD-oriented applications based on the two headsets.