Virtual reality tools to help kids with ADHD grow better social skills
Official title: Developing virtual reality programs to address social skills deficits in youth with ADHD
Funded at Openmindxr LLC · NIH-11332972 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A child-focused project is testing easy-to-use at-home virtual reality programs to help children with ADHD improve social skills and empathy.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Openmindxr LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Carmel, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $440,929 |
| NIH project number | 5R43MH140643-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11332972 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Children aged 0-11 years with ADHD or autism spectrum conditions who can access home VR modules.
✕Less likely to help
Children without access to VR hardware or who do not engage with virtual social scenarios may not benefit.
What this research studies
This project develops immersive VR modules that let kids with ADHD practice social interactions in safe, controllable scenes at home. The program starts with low-distraction scenarios and gradually increases complexity to build real-world social understanding. It uses perspectives from others in the interaction to help kids understand how their actions affect others. Families would be able to access the modules remotely, reducing the need for in-person sessions. The approach aims to complement existing therapies by providing engaging, repeatable practice tailored to each child.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, children with ADHD may gain clearer social skills and better peer interactions, improving everyday functioning.
How similar studies have gone: VR-based social skills training has shown promise in related pediatric populations, but this program is novel in its at-home, progressive module design for ADHD.
Where this research is happening
-
Openmindxr LLC
Carmel, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Miller, Kevin — Openmindxr LLC
- Study coordinator: Miller, Kevin
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.