Avatar-based interaction and simulated worlds earn another point for emotional health work, as a report comes that researchers at the University of Texas at Dallas Center for BrainHealth are using avatar-based simulation to help patients diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome to practice their social skills.

Asperger's Syndrome is considered a form of autism, and those diagnosed, while of normal intelligence, have trouble reading non-verbal cues, adapting to change and learning social behavior. Inside the virtual world, they're able to interact with other real people's avatars as practice.

From the article:

The virtual world includes settings commonly encountered in everyday life such as restaurants, shops, offices, apartment living and parks, where they can meet “new” people in a safe, controlled environment. For example, if the goal is applying for a job, their avatars substitute for them as they practice their interviewing skills with real people on-line until the fear and anxiety of a real encounter with a potential supervisor diminishes. This method is distinct from role-playing, which is a widely used method, in that they feel the same emotions as they would in direct encounters.

[Via UT Dallas Newsletter]