About this Research Topic
The use of new technologies in neurodevelopmental rehabilitation has gained increased interest over the last decades. Several new rehabilitation approaches have been proposed and proved to be useful. For example, virtual reality, augmented reality, serious games, and non-invasive brain stimulation. Children with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) can benefit from the use of technology-aided programs, virtual reality-based rehabilitation, eye gaze digital games, and technology-based therapy: these technologies can help to improve cognitive, motor, and behavioral skills. However, these new approaches require additional treatment to enhance children’s cognitive and physical abilities, which have to be skillfully integrated into existing programs, these technological interventions don’t exclude traditional rehabilitation programs. New technologies can complement traditional interventions to achieve better results and improve the rate of progress in applying these new technology-based interventions.
A growing number of studies have investigated diverse applications of technological interventions for the rehabilitation of children with NDDs. Up-to-date assistive technologies can help enhance cognitive skills and improve behavior, social communication, and academic performance in populations with NDDs. Despite these technological interventions' potential in improving these children's different abilities, it is essential to consider that these technologies are subject to some limitations. They have common design features, but children with NDDs present heterogeneous impairments. Therefore, it is of great importance to perform fundamental research aimed at explaining: (1) What are the strengths and weaknesses of new technologies applied to neurodevelopmental rehabilitation (2) If the type of neurodevelopmental disorder can affect the effects of technological interventions. (3) What are the characteristics of effective and efficient technological rehabilitation treatment programs for NDDs. To answer these questions, research needs to provide evidence-based data, evaluate each specific technology, and tailor each therapeutic approach to a specific case or condition. This could lead to new directions in neurodevelopmental rehabilitation and research, leading to developing technological rehabilitation interventions. Children can practice and learn in a safer, more predictable, and pleasant manner.
This Research Topic will focus on psychological and technological research that investigates how new technological interventions for neurodevelopmental rehabilitation can offer a better opportunity to treat cognitive, motor, and social deficits in children with NDDs. The final aim is to develop the best rehabilitation approach towards the goal that is set. We are interested in empirical and theoretical contributions, such as opinion articles, systematic reviews and meta-analyses, general commentary, and empirical studies.
Therefore, we welcome submissions that address the following fields/topics:
1) New technologies (e.g., virtual reality, augmented reality, serious virtual games, non-invasive brain stimulation) in NDDs.
2) Cognitive, motor, and social skills in NDDs.
3) Psychological, cognitive and technological outcomes.
4) New applications of technological interventions for the rehabilitation of children with NDDs.
Keywords: new technologies, neurodevelopmental rehabilitation, neurodevelopmental disorders, cognitive training, motor training, cognitive processes
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.