Beyond reality: Empowering autistic learners in communication

Autistic learners encounter a range of communication challenges in social-emotional communication, non-verbal communication, and building and sustaining relationships. This conceptual paper explores the impact of technology, particularly extended reality (XR), in aiding individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in enhancing their communication skills. It begins by providing a concise summary of the three main communication obstacles faced by individuals with ASD, and then proceeds to examine various technologies used for ASD education. The primary objective of this paper is to explore the relationship between XR and ASD education through the introduction of a five-component model. It concludes by offering practical recommendations for integrating XR into communication training for individuals with ASD.