Transforming Pediatric Neurodevelopmental Interventions: A Novel Model for Enhancing Social Skills and Reducing Challenging Behaviors in Children with ASD and ADHD

This Mitacs funded study hopes to validate a Interactive Multisensory Physical Movement (IMPM) model with the potential to transform pediatric neurodevelopmental services.

The Interactive Multisensory Physical Movement (IMPM) model addresses a critical and growing gap in pediatric neurodevelopmental care. It offers a rigorously designed, non-pharmacological therapeutic approach for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Current treatments often focus on short-term symptom management, have adverse side effects, and produce limited long-lasting improvements in social functioning, attention regulation, and daily living (Cook et al., 2022; Reijnders, 2019).

The IMPM utilizes a multifaceted approach, integrating holography, immersive virtual and augmented reality, and advanced eye-tracking technology to create a multisensory therapeutic environment. This environment facilitates simultaneous multisensory stimulation and movement-based learning, targeting fundamental neurodevelopmental mechanisms such as sensory integration, attentional networks, motor planning, and social reciprocity. The IMPM approach enables measurable and sustained functional improvements, avoiding the risks associated with pharmacotherapy.

By validating a scalable, technology-enabled, holistic intervention that is both clinically effective and cost-conscious, IMPM has the potential to transform pediatric neurodevelopmental services. This transformation would improve developmental trajectories, reduce long-term care burdens, and deliver higher quality of life for millions of children and families. The pathway from validation to commercialization is meticulously designed to yield peer-reviewed evidence, regulatory alignment, and robust stakeholder engagement, thereby facilitating the expeditious adoption of responsible practices within healthcare and educational systems on a global scale. This project is being conducted in partnership with Innovation + Impact Network of Canada (I-INC).