Virtual program may help autistic individuals learn to properly converse with others

Educators and parents are seeking new ways to help autistic children overcome the difficulties they face with their condition. Individuals who suffer from this learning disability often have speech and language difficulties as well as unusual behavior.

A study published in the journal Cyberpsychology, Behavior and Social Networking outlines a new virtual conversation simulator that helps autistic children learn the nuances of speaking with other people.

The study showed that individuals who participated in a prototype conversation simulation program responded positively to the experience. Other studies have shown that early intervention could help autism sufferers alleviate some of the symptoms associated with the disorder.

The program gave the participants onscreen dialog options and scored them on their ability to initiate, maintain and conclude a pleasant conversation on a variety of topics.

Other cognitive therapy programs can be found at therapeutic boarding schools, which can assist children suffering from autism in overcoming the difficulties they face.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 1 in 110 children in the U.S. have an autism spectrum disorder.