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Can VR therapy help children with ADHD, autism or developmental delay?

By the DancingMind team · Updated

Short answer

The early evidence is encouraging but limited. A 2025 meta-analysis of 11 randomised trials (640 children aged 6 to 12) found VR training moderately reduced attention difficulties in ADHD, and reviews in autism report gains in social and emotional skills. Studies are small and varied, so VR works best as play-based practice inside a programme led by therapists.

ADHD

Several reviews now pool randomised trials of VR in children with ADHD:

  • A 2025 meta-analysis of 11 randomised trials (640 children aged 6 to 12) found a moderate reduction in attention-deficit symptoms. The authors caution that the studies vary widely and long-term data is limited.
  • A 2024 meta-analysis of 9 trials (370 children) found improvements in both attention and motor ability, with larger attention effects for immersive VR.
  • A 2023 meta-analysis of 7 trials of immersive VR found large effects on attention and memory, but rated the included studies as poor quality with small samples. Adherence was similar across groups and no adverse effects were reported.

Autism spectrum disorder

  • A 2024 meta-analysis of 6 randomised trials of immersive VR found improvements in social, emotional and cognitive skills in children and adolescents with autism.
  • A 2025 systematic review of 14 studies found VR improved social skills, with more complex skills improving most in children with fewer support needs and basic skills in children with greater support needs. It also flagged possible dizziness, eye fatigue and sensory overload.

Global developmental delay

There is little trial evidence specific to global developmental delay (GDD). Most programmes for children with GDD draw on the same principles as those for ADHD and autism: short, playful, graded practice of motor, language and thinking skills, led by therapists who know the child.

Using VR well with children

  • Keep it short and supervised. Sessions should end before a child tires or becomes overloaded.
  • Offer a screen option. Tablets suit younger children and anyone sensitive to headsets.
  • Grade the games. Difficulty should follow the child’s measured performance, so they succeed often but are still stretched.
  • Involve families. Programmes that continue at home multiply practice time.

Where DancingMind fits

DancingMind’s MindWarrior programme provides early-intervention modules for motor control, impulse regulation, language skills and executive function, delivered as play on VR and tablet. In DancingMind’s own studies, children with ADHD showed a 22% improvement in attention span, and children with autism and global developmental delay showed significant improvement in non-verbal intelligence within 2–3 sessions. Both are published as study summaries rather than journal papers; clinical teams can request the full details.

Common questions

What age can children start VR therapy?

Headset makers set minimum ages for their devices, and the care team decides what suits each child. Most trials in ADHD involve children aged 6 to 12. Younger children, or children who dislike wearing a headset, can use tablet versions of the same programmes.

Is VR a replacement for medication or behavioural therapy?

No. The trials test VR as an addition to, or comparison with, other approaches, and there is little long-term data. VR is a tool therapists use within a child's plan, not a substitute for clinical care.

Are there side effects for children?

A 2025 systematic review in autism noted possible dizziness, eye fatigue and sensory overload, particularly in immersive VR. Short, supervised sessions and a non-immersive option help keep children comfortable.

Why use games instead of traditional exercises?

Children practise more when practice is play. Graded games let attention, motor control and impulse regulation be trained in many short repetitions, at each child's own pace.

Sources

  1. Zheng P, Yuan K, Liu S, et al. Effects of virtual reality technology on attention deficit in children with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Affective Disorders, 2025. doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2025.05.037
  2. Yu C, Wang C, Xie Q, Wang C. Effect of virtual reality technology on attention and motor ability in children with attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder. JMIR Serious Games, 2024. doi.org/10.2196/56918
  3. Corrigan N, Păsărelu CR, Voinescu A. Immersive virtual reality for improving cognitive deficits in children with ADHD: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Virtual Reality, 2023. doi.org/10.1007/s10055-023-00768-1
  4. Mittal P, Bhadania M, Tondak N, et al. Effect of immersive virtual reality-based training on cognitive, social, and emotional skills in children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 2024. doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2024.104771
  5. Yang X, Wu J, Ma Y, et al. Effectiveness of virtual reality technology interventions in improving the social skills of children and adolescents with autism: systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 2025. doi.org/10.2196/60845

This guide is general information for care providers and families, not medical advice. Results from specific studies apply to specific populations; always seek the advice of a qualified health provider. How we match claims to evidence: responsible claims.