Sensory Overstimulation: A Virtual Reality Simulation to Foster Empathy Towards Autistic Youth

This paper investigates whether a Virtual Reality (VR) simulation of sensory overstimulation in a classroom can increase empathy and understanding toward individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) among students aged 13-15 in Danish elementary schools. The project followed an iterative design process in which an initial prototype was refined through user testing and interviews with autistic adults and a special-needs teacher. The resulting simulation combined auditory overstimulation, environmental distractions, a listening-based classroom task, and hyperfocus mechanics intended to represent selected aspects of Sensory Over-Responsivity (SOR) in school settings. A mixed-methods A/B evaluation compared the VR simulation with a sound-based condition that communicated the same classroom scenario through narration. Fifty-nine participants took part in the evaluation. Broader dispositional empathy showed little change, but target-specific measures indicated short-term increases in empathic concern and personal distress immediately after the intervention. Interview findings suggested that participants gained a stronger understanding of ASD-related classroom challenges, particularly difficulty focusing under layered sensory input. The results suggest that immersive VR may be a useful medium for communicating sensory challenges in classroom environments, while longer-term empathy effects remain uncertain.