XR Technologies in Inclusive Education for Neurodivergent Children: A Systematic Review 2020-2024

Background/Objectives: Extended reality (XR) technologies have been increasingly applied in inclusive education settings to assist neurodivergent children. However, the existing evidence remains fragmented across diverse contexts and disciplines. This systematic review synthesizes current research to identify the educational purposes, implementation characteristics, and reported outcomes associated with the use of XR in inclusive educational environments. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted in major academic databases using predefined keyword combinations related to XR, inclusive education, and neurodivergence. Peer-reviewed articles that applied XR tools in educational settings for neurodivergent children were screened against predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Data were extracted regarding study design, participant characteristics, XR modality, educational objectives, and outcome indicators. Results: The reviewed studies report heterogeneous applications of XR technologies, including virtual and augmented reality, to support cognitive, social, and behavioral skill development in neurodivergent learners. Most studies employed small sample sizes and quasi-experimental or exploratory designs. Although several studies reported improvements in engagement, communication skills, and task performance, outcome measures varied substantially and methodological rigor was limited in many cases. Conclusions: Current evidence suggests that XR technologies hold potential as complementary tools in inclusive education for neurodivergent children. Nonetheless, the heterogeneity of study designs and the lack of standardized assessment metrics limit the generalizability of the results. More robust empirical investigations are required to establish evidence-based guidelines for the implementation of XR in inclusive educational contexts.