ADHD VR Simulation
BeLEARN practice-based project to develop an ADHD VR simulation that provides insights into the lived experiences of individuals with ADHD and supports teachers, learning support staff, and parents in everyday school life.
Duration: November 2024 – May 2027
Status: Ongoing
Educational Level: Special Needs Education, Primary Level, Lower Secondary Level, Upper Secondary Level – Vocational Education, Upper Secondary Level – Grammar School Education, Tertiary Level
Topic: Digital Tools
Keywords: VR – Virtual Reality
Initial Situation
Integrating students with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) into mainstream schools and vocational training environments poses a significant challenge for many teachers and learning support personnel. There is often a lack of specific knowledge regarding the neurobiological foundations as well as the functional and social implications of ADHD, along with a shortage of effective strategies to adapt teaching practices and learning environments accordingly. The “ADHD VR Simulation” project therefore aims to pursue innovative approaches to enhance understanding of ADHD and to provide practice-oriented support for everyday educational settings.
Objectives
The “ADHD VR Simulation” project is developing an innovative virtual reality application for professionals working with individuals affected by ADHD, including teachers, special education professionals, learning support personnel, ADHD coaches, and other stakeholders in educational and vocational contexts. In addition to immersive representations of typical ADHD characteristics, the VR application provides concise, clearly presented information as part of a psychoeducational framework. Target-group-specific instructional and counselling materials are being developed to equip professionals with practical strategies for working with individuals with ADHD. The aim of the project is to foster a profound understanding of the lived experiences of people with ADHD, thereby establishing a foundation for more empathetic, evidence-based, and inclusive practices in both educational and professional everyday settings.
Method
The development of the VR application is carried out in a participatory manner throughout the entire process and is accompanied by scientific oversight. To ensure the authenticity of the ADHD features portrayed, the lived experiences of individuals affected by ADHD are systematically incorporated. In addition, the perspectives of end users are integrated into the development process through targeted qualitative expert interviews. Beyond professional feedback, ongoing exchanges with specialists also provide valuable input for network building, the establishment of suitable distribution channels, and the strategic engagement of potential partner institutions within BeLEARN.
By autumn 2025, an initial prototype of the ADHD VR application will be developed and subsequently tested with children and adolescents affected by ADHD. At the same time, we are collecting ADHD-related experiences from these children and adolescents, which will serve as a basis for the further development of the application.
Planned Translation
Following the completion of the prototyping phase, accompanying instructional and counselling materials will be developed to deepen the didactic content of the VR application and to provide practical recommendations for addressing ADHD in everyday school and work environments.
The project will conclude with an empirical effectiveness evaluation conducted at PHBern. If the results are positive, PHBern will propose the educational tool for implementation in school settings. In parallel, BeLEARN will support the dissemination of the educational tool to additional universities and vocational schools.
