Hi Jerry,
I think you outline the relevant issues pretty well. There are a quite a lot ongoing efforts out there that have explored the use of virtual environments for social therapy (contact me for details and to discuss about collaboration opportunities). And I have to mention a lot of the successes have happened at the grass root levels in virtual communities. I have been involved in developing virtual environments targetting a range of individuals with cognitive deficits such as autism, asperger in the past using the more traditional kind of virtual environments (not Second Life) and I see that SL is ripe for the kind of explorations you are suggesting. One good thing with this environment is that it an evolving environment and the barriers you suggested are continuously being addresed. I have a recent post here about avatar expressiveness...which I think will definitely impact the kind of applications you have in mind . There are many similar ongoing efforts that will further increase the interaction bandwidth between avatars...such as user tracking to further increase the effectiveness of avatar representations http://irhbt.typepad.com/virtually_yours/2008/02/lip-sync-in-sec.html
In the future, we will probably need to further explore how our model of the self will evolve...and this will evidently present more opportunities to deepen our understanding of the human psyche.

Hi Jerry,
I am sorry you had so much trouble with Orientation Island. If it is of any solace, I went last fall to create an alternative avatar (an alt) and I had to ask a friend to teleport me out of there because I would still be there. And, I have almost 4 years in Second Life. So, if you come in-world, search for The Sojourner and I will pull you out.

I am not sure if you are aware of the Brigadoon Project started by John Lester in 2004 in Second Life. I was a part of that project. Then, as a multiple-stroke survivor, I expanded my experiences to now maintaining two island sims (land masses) and hosting a group of stroke survivors and the Brigadoon Explorers. The Explorers number about 94 individuals with a connection to Asperger Syndrome/autism. Therefore, I have been very involved with individuals in this population in SL for almost 4 years. Our sims also draw a large group of people with ADHD, ADD, physical limitations, deafness, visual impairment, cognitive impairment, agoraphobia, etc.

In my opinion, SL does appeal to your target groups and that some of them are benefitted by meeting others with similar technological interests. However, since many, many people in SL are not "techies," that is not the only draw. Our members suggest that the use of typed chat permits communication without concern about facial and body gestures; typed chat slows the though process so that there is more consideration of the words; and that emoticons and typed expressions of emotion (smiles gently, cries) create ease of understanding. In my opinion, feelings of confidence and competency come out of the abiity to pursue interests in a new way which is naturalistic and self-directed. With the confidence comes carryover into the real world in my experience and others in my group.

By the way, I am amazed at how many dyslexics seem to navigate SL very well. I think part of it is that after you are there for very long, no one types well and spelling errors abound. So, everyone gets good at reading "typos" and not many pay attention to it. The same with individuals having difficulty with grammar. We are around so many people from so many nations that you learn to accept the "content" of the message rather than the exact grammar. It is indeed a learning experience.

Having a son who has been 10 years in various institutions as an intelligent autist, I was very interested in this thread. I tried to find a second life site and log-in. I picked the .nl site. That joining process was so convoluted that I nearly gave up - anybody with adhd or similar would have given up I am sure. Then I found myself butt-naked - as a female although I am sure I said I wanted to be a man. Nothing was happening, and when I tried to find some clothes the system crashed. I don't think I will be returning.

A lot of money has clearly been spent on this software, which might have been better spent providing a few more places in residential care for which there is a long waiting list most places in the world.

The misconception behind this "game" begins with insisting the the player chooses another name - why? Most people in the target category have no problem with using their own name or with being themselves - it is the rest of the world that is out of step.

Not far behind is the notion that autists and others in this very broad spectrum have any interest in joining communities of so-called like minded individuals. The rest of us need to take a big step forward and realise that each autist is highly individual and requires a highly individual approach

Hi
A very interesting area of study. As always, I will begin with my disclaimer that I have no medical background and speak only as a technologist, a business person, and someone who would like to help sick people.
Is this a matter of space, place, or face?
As I read the characteristics you have described, I fear that many people with these disorders go along living their lives undiagnosed. I suspect some may pose a threat to themselves or society while others are brilliant. If technology brings some level of commonality to this situation then use it to help heal them. Seems these individuals can go only so far in the presence of real people, places, and spaces. Perhaps a Second Life approach could be helpful but we must ultimately bring it to reality. I think for these type of disorders a balance between a virtual world and reality should be maintained at all times. I’m not sure that beginning with an imaginary name as SL seems to require is the right starting point (I have only just started dabbling with SL). I would try to deploy interactive multimedia technology to help provide a sense of reality in a non threatening fashion. These patients may benefit by some aspects of a virtual world but keep real people in their lives as much as possible. If the video experience with real people becomes overwhelming, they can click the video off and try to function with voice only or text only. I suspect somewhere in the feeding of technology and the various forms of information it supports (Voice, Video, and Data) lies the solution for many with these disorders. I recall following some early research at MIT’s media lab that focused on using networked computers to engage young learners of various nationalities to work collaboratively over geographic distances. One interesting aspect of this work was that it removed social, racial, and economic barriers thereby leveling the playing field for all.
It might be interesting to have people with these disorders working collaboratively with normal people (if there are any!) via technology to achieve something great. Once the accomplishment is done and they are buzzing about it, bring them together for real and see what happens! Hopefully I have provided some additional food for thought.
Best wishes!

I am very interested in this topic and would like to share my opinion on the larger topic of using virtual reality to teach social skills (although I am not familiar with SL) and make a few comments about the posts.
1) Would it be possible to create an “Island of Social Competence” that could serve as a virtual training ground for these individuals? I agree with Mr. Ramloll that it is possible. I believe it must include a virtual pre and post assessment of skills, and virtual modules designed to train on social rules, interpreting emotions and behaviors of others, listening and reacting skills, problem solving, and anger/frustration management skills in a manner that is truly fun and entertaining. I personally learn better when I am enjoying myself.
2) Would it be possible for a person with one of these conditions to learn skills of social interaction that would transfer to the First World? Again, I believe this is possible if the virtual world offers an ever changing environment in which to test and teach these skills with frequent feedback on successes and suggestions for improvement (which is successfully used in video games). I can imagine teaching listening skills (which is the foundation of all of our actions) in multiple virtual environments such as at the dinner table at home beginning with one on-going steady conversation and advancing to several conversations taking place at once at the dinner table, listening skills in a group of friends at the mall (focusing on turn taking, etc.), walking down the street and talking with a person while cars are passing (to add additional distractions which are normal challenges), etc. However, just as Mr. Dattoli suggested real life interaction is important. As a result, this training would need to be coupled with deliberate real life practice beginning with family who can offer supportive feedback and progress to close friends/neighbors, and then strangers as it will be important to teach and practice how to handle negative responses from others which is a challenge we all face.
3) Mr. Johnson made an important point that this technology will need to run smoothly and be easy for anyone to use. This task can be accomplished through usability testing with professionals trained in behavioral science and then with members of the target population.
4) KG wrote that some of their members prefer typing to avoid the technical complication of facial and body gestures. Unfortunately body language is extremely important in social skills, so finding a way to naturally incorporate its use would be helpful. I can imagine a menu that would be visual at all times and allow for a choice in emotion, body language and the person’s use of these options will be rewarded in the virtual world (again, I am referring to my experience with video games).
5) I was also excited by Mr. Dattoli’s comment on using multiple modalities (visual/screen, voice/microphone, and data/typing) during the virtual world. It is easier to learn information that is presented to you visually as well as auditory, so naturally using these senses in the virtual world will only enhance the experience. My final thought is that anything that is worth doing must be something that people enjoy doing!

I am thrilled to get all of your responses and the multiple perspectives you bring to this discussion. Your comments certainly have broadened my perspective on this issue. KG, I appreciated your comment about folks who might be attracted to SL may not be techies. One has to have a high tolerance for frustration to navigate this environment, and that's a challenge for many of us, with or without any identifiable condition or disorder! Issues such as anonymity on line, and the use of different modalities to gain control and assuage anxiety in the simulated environment are very interesting.

I'm wondering if folks have any thoughts about the concern some colleagues have brought up about the addictive qualities of online environments--that SL might prove to be a "trap" for some individuals who enjoy the sense of control, comfort and satisfaction they might find there. And whether some vulnerable people might fall victim to unscrupulous predators who may lurk behind the facade of SL (certainly not in the controlled moderated environment we are discussing, of course, but other sites which the SL explorer finds, or is found by?)

Looking forward to the continuing exchange.

All of your comments are fascinating to me. I really appreciate you sharing this and it made me do some thinking. Let me provide you a little of what I have experienced with my disability.

As someone who faces serious communication challenges every day, I am excited to have reached a point in my life where I can put my unique experience, professional knowledge, and technical expertise to work for the purposes of improving the professional lives of people with all forms of disabilities. In so doing, increase the productivity as well as the quality of the various cultures that will benefit. The power of diversity is a force that will not be maximized until everyone is allowed to participate and contribute to his or her full potential. I’ve given a great deal of thought to technical communications strategies like Second Life, which can help achieve this important goal. Finding new ways to make improvements is a part of my life that I find extremely satisfying.

There have been instances where someone tries to help but because of their personal comfort level with my disability, or their lack of understanding, we’ve experienced a disconnect, where little or nothing gets accomplished. Continuous efforts need to be made in training and technology to educate and enable people and to break down the remaining barriers.

The virtual environment of Second Life could be well suited for various diverse groups. I’m sure that they have a lot of fresh and different perspectives about virtual video campaigns. For example, there is the interactive-television space like avatar which could be a multinational model and influence other societies. Media and technology could collaborate and form cross-disciplinary players that could then pitch compelling ideas.

I’m working with a disability while navigating in a corporate world. To survive in the workforce, I need to be creative and see possibilities that others may miss, that resourcefulness is good for the bottom line. The rewards for me are enormous and can help prepare our workplace for the needs of an aging population facing diminished eyesight, hearing, mobility and other issues – this kind of foresight will be a distinct competitive advantage.

Second Life could be a strong option, which enables full and active participation in activities. This would allow hearing impaired people the opportunity to be equal participants, which, in turn, is beneficial to everyone. Ultimately, if we can make the type of progress I envision here at the Center for ConnectedHealth, it would be a wonderful thing for me to personally be able to share the techniques we utilize to help foster greater understanding of the needs and potential of disabled people.