Technology and Autism: New Tools for a More Autonomous Life

In Italy and across Europe, many people with autism and their families face complex challenges every day, from managing social relationships to achieving greater autonomy. It is estimated that around 5 million people in Europe are on the autism spectrum, with widely differing needs: some experience difficulties with verbal communication, others struggle to cope with unexpected situations, while many face intense sensory overload. Families often carry a heavy burden — balancing therapy, school, work, and daily life — with resources that are not always sufficient. In this context, digital technologies are not a magic solution, but they can make a meaningful difference.

One of the most promising areas is virtual reality and so-called serious games. Simulating real-life situations — taking a bus, shopping, attending a job interview, or managing a conflict with a colleague — in a safe and controlled environment allows individuals with autism to practice without the pressure and anxiety of direct exposure. Mistakes have no consequences, the pace can be personalized, and each session can be repeated as many times as needed. This approach has proven especially effective for adolescents and young adults, a group often overlooked by traditional therapeutic pathways, which tend to focus primarily on childhood and early development.

At the same time, highly practical tools for everyday support are becoming more widespread: augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) apps designed for people with difficulties using verbal language; sensory monitoring systems that help identify and manage situations of overload; and digital platforms that support caregivers with resources, visual routines, and planning tools. Home automation and wearable devices are also opening up new possibilities, for example by detecting signs of agitation before they escalate into crises, or by supporting the independent organization of daily activities. The goal is not to replace human interaction or traditional therapy, but to complement them with flexible, accessible tools that can be adapted to individual needs.

In this context, Fondazione Bruno Kessler (FBK) in Trento represents a concrete example of how research can be translated into useful solutions. Through the XR4A (Extended Reality for Autism) project, FBK developed, in collaboration with the Cooperativa Albero Blu of Rovereto (Trentino), a virtual reality environment in the form of a serious game designed to train the social skills of neurodivergent children through everyday-life scenarios. The positive results led to the creation of the spin-off company MEEVA, which is now working to transform this solution into a genuine digital therapy. More recently, FBK has been leading the European GameOn project, funded under the Erasmus+ programme and involving partners from Latvia, Spain, and Serbia. GameOn explores how digital games — including appropriately adapted commercial titles — can foster autonomy and well-being in young adults with autism. A distinctive feature of the project is the direct involvement of people with autism in the co-design phase, with materials and resources released as open source to encourage reuse throughout Europe.

The real challenge, however, is not only technological but also cultural. Too often, technologies for disability are designed for people without truly involving them in the process. The co-design approach — in which end users actively participate in development — remains the exception rather than the norm. Yet it is precisely from this process that the most effective tools emerge: tools that address real needs, use accessible language, and provide interfaces designed for the people who will actually use them. Investing in inclusive technology also means investing in a fairer society, one capable of recognizing and valuing neurodiversity as a resource rather than a problem to be corrected. (E.S.)