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Autism Spectrum and Developmental Disorders

Engaging Stakeholders to Improve a Virtual Reality Cognitive-Behavioral Police Safety Intervention for Autistic People of Color Living in Urban Areas

(PS11-D91) Engaging Stakeholders to Improve a Virtual Reality Cognitive-behavioral Police Safety Intervention for Autistic People of Color Living in Urban Areas

Sunday, November 20, 2022

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM EST

Location: Westside Ballroom, 5th Floor

Author(s)

JP

Juan A. Pacheco, B.S.

Master's Student
Saint Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Co-Author(s)

AR

Alison Russell, B.A.

Clinical Research Assistant
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
ST

Sinan Turnacioglu, M.D.

Chief Medical Officer
Floreo Inc.
Bethesda, Maryland
VR

Vijay Ravindran, None

Chief Executive Officer
Floreo Inc.
Washington, District of Columbia
JM

Judith Miller, Ph.D.

Senior Scientist
Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
JP

Julia Parish-Morris, Ph.D.

Scientist
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
JM

Joseph McCleery, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Saint Joseph’s University
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Individuals with disabilities, including autistic citizens, comprise 1/3 to 1/2 of all U.S civilians killed during police interactions (Perry & Carter-Long, 2016). Floreo, Inc. created a Police Safety Module (PSM) to allow autistic individuals to practice critical skills that may aid in mitigating potential for an unsafe police interaction using immersive virtual reality (VR). Studies indicate the PSM is safe, acceptable, and effective for autistic individuals (McCleery et al., 2020; Parish-Morris et al., 2018). However, prior study samples did not include significant numbers of people of color living in urban areas. Here, we collect feedback about the PSM from stakeholders with the goal of increasing motivation, understanding, and satisfaction for autistic people of color living in urban communities. Twelve stakeholders (academic/clinical professionals, caregivers/siblings, autistic individuals) reviewed the PSM and its written materials. Participants then completed a semi-structured interview and a rating scale addressing intervention fidelity, efficacy, user motivation, and overall satisfaction. Participants were satisfied with the intervention and described it as having significant value. However, two themes of critical feedback emerged. Written materials were noted to be text-heavy and potentially challenging to absorb. Recommendations included reducing the amount of text, presenting text-based information in chunks, and using clip-art mindful of gender and ethnic differences. Participants felt that aspects of the immersive VR experience, including realistic traffic noises and the simulated officer’s tone change during the intervention, may present challenges for some autistic individuals. Stakeholders believed these simulated elements, while valuable, may trigger anxiety in autistic people of color, especially those that may live in an area where police mistrust is common. Recommendations from stakeholders included providing pre-planned breaks for participants, providing advance warnings, and shared acknowledgment of anxiety/trauma related to practicing police interactions. Participants reported overall satisfaction with the intervention; academics, parents/siblings, and autistic stakeholders noted necessary improvements related to written study materials and the risk of triggering anxiety/trauma specific to people of color living in urban areas. This stakeholder feedback is being used to improve the PSM’s fidelity, efficacy, user motivation, and overall satisfaction for marginalized autistic individuals, which will be directly evaluated in future intervention research.