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Digital Seminar

Revolutionize Autism Intervention with AI and the Metaverse to Support Emotional Intelligence and Social Connection


Speaker:
Varleisha Lyons, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS
Duration:
2 Hours 1 Minute
Language:
Presented in EN, subtitles in EN and FR, handouts in EN and FR
Format:
Audio and Video
Copyright:
May 07, 2025
Product Code:
POS150218
Media Type:
Digital Seminar


Description

For autistic individuals, developing emotional intelligence – self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy – can be a profound challenge. Emerging technologies like Virtual Reality (VR), the metaverse, and AI are creating groundbreaking opportunities to address these challenge sin innovative ways.

Join Dr. Lyons for an inspiring exploration of how structured, immersive, and interactive environments can revolutionize autism interventions. Learn how these technologies can nurture emotional intelligence, foster meaningful social connections, and create new pathways for growth.

This session offers practical insights into the latest advancements and actionable strategies to integrate them into therapeutic settings. Leave empowered with the tools to unlock potential, build resilience, and make a lasting impact in the lives of your autistic clients!

Credit

Program Information

Planning Committee Disclosure - No relevant relationships

All members of the PESI, Inc. planning committee have provided disclosures of financial relationships with ineligible organizations and any relevant non-financial relationships prior to planning content for this activity. None of the committee members had relevant financial relationships with ineligible companies or other potentially biasing relationships to disclose to learners.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.



Canada Credit - *

NOTE: Tuition includes one free CE Certificate (participant will be able to print the certificate of completion after passing the online post-test (80% passing score) and completing the evaluation). Instructional methods will include PowerPoint, didactic lecture, and others.

Continuing Education Information:  Listed below are the continuing education credit(s) currently available for this non-interactive self-study package. Program content is reviewed periodically per accrediting board rules for currency and appropriateness for credit. Credit approvals are subject to change. Please note, your licensing board dictates whether self-study is an acceptable form of continuing education, as well as which credit types are acceptable for continuing education hours. Please refer to your licensing board's rules and regulations. If your profession is not listed, please contact your licensing board to determine your continuing education requirements and check for reciprocal approval. 
For other credit inquiries not specified below, please contact info@pesi.com or 800-844-8260 before purchase.

Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of your profession.  As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice in accordance with and in compliance with your profession's standards.  

For Planning Committee disclosures, please see the statement above.  For speaker disclosures, please see the faculty biography.

 


Canada Credit - ---

Earn up to 2.0 CE hours. Please see below, for more details, as credit amounts vary by jurisdiction and profession. 


Canada Credit - Canadian Counsellors and Psychotherapists

PESI, Inc. is approved by the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association to offer continuing education for counsellors and psychotherapists. PESI, Inc. maintains responsibility for the program. This self-study activity is approved for 2.0 credit hours.


Canada Credit - Social Workers - National ASWB ACE

PESI, Inc., #1062, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: January 27, 2026 - January 27, 2029. Social workers completing this course receive 2.0 Clinical continuing education credits.

Course Level: Intermediate Format: Recorded asynchronous distance. Full attendance is required; no partial credits will be offered for partial attendance.

 

Canadian Social Workers: Canadian provinces may accept activities offered by providers approved by the ASWB ACE program for ongoing professional development.


Canada Credit - Other Professions

This self-study activity qualifies for 6.25 continuing education clock hours as required by many national and local licensing boards and professional organizations. Save your activity advertisement and certificate of completion, and contact your own board or organization for specific requirements.


US National Boards - Occupational Therapists & Occupational Therapy Assistants

 

PESI, Inc.  is an AOTA Approved Provider of professional development. Approved provider # 3322. This Distance-Learning Independent activity is offered at .2  CEUs Intermediate , OT Service Delivery; Foundational . The assignment of AOTA CEUs does not imply endorsement of specific course content, products, or clinical procedures by AOTA.

 

Full attendance at this live activity qualifies for 2.0 contact hours.

 



Handouts

Speaker

Varleisha Lyons, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS's Profile

Varleisha Lyons, PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS Related seminars and products


Varleisha D. Lyons (formerly Gibbs), PhD, OTD, OTR/L, ASDCS, is an occupational therapist and author with over 20 years of experience working with children and adolescents diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder, sensory processing disorders and neurological disorders. She developed and founded Delaware’s first occupational therapy program and became the first black indigenous American woman to serve as the Scientific Programs Officer at the American Occupational Therapy Foundation. 

Varleisha continues to lecture and provides training on sensory processing strategies and self-regulation to practitioners, parents, and teachers throughout the country and internationally. As co-author of Raising Kids with Sensory Processing Disorders, she has provided families with strategies to understand and care for their children. Dr. Lyons is the developer of the Self-Regulation and Mindfulness program and author of the best-selling book, Self-Regulation and Mindfulness: Exercises and Worksheets for Sensory Processing Disorder, ADHD, and Autism Spectrum Disorder (PESI Publishing & Media). She is the co-author of Trauma Treatment in ACTION: Over 85 Activities to Move Clients Toward Healing, Growth and Improved Functioning (PESI Publishing & Media). Her areas of expertise include neuroanatomy, self-regulation strategies across the lifespan, health inequities, and trauma responsive approaches.

Disclaimer: The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in this presentation belong solely to the author, and not necessarily to the author's employer, organization, committee or other group or individual. Varleisha D. Lyons PhD, OTR/L is employed by the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). This work is independent of her role and not affiliated with AOTA, Inc.

 

Speaker Disclosures:
Financial: Dr. Varleisha Lyons has employment relationships with the American Occupational Therapy Association and VDTG, Inc. She receives royalties as a published author. Dr. Lyons receives a speaking honorarium, recording and book royalties from PESI, Inc. She has no relevant financial relationships with ineligible organizations.
Non-financial: Dr. Varleisha Lyons is a member of the American Occupational Therapy Association and the National Black Occupational Therapy Caucus. She serves on the advisory board of George Washington University Programs in Occupational Therapy and is a board member of the National Association for Hearing and Speech Action.


Additional Info

Program Information

Access for Self-Study (Non-Interactive)

Access never expires for this product.

For a more detailed outline that includes times or durations of time, if needed, please contact cepesi@pesi.com

 


Questions?

Visit our FAQ page at https://www.pesicanada.ca/faq or contact us at https://www.pesicanada.ca/contact-us.


Objectives

  1. Analyze the neurological and emotional aspects of autism that impact emotional intelligence development.
  2. Evaluate how AI and metaverse technologies can be integrated into therapeutic plans to enhance emotional intelligence, including empathy and self-regulation.
  3. Apply personalized, technology-driven interventions in case scenarios to improve outcomes for individuals with autism.

Outline

Introduction to Autism and Emotional Intelligence
  • Autism diagnosis overview and characteristics
  • Emotional intelligence challenges in autism: self-awareness, self-regulation, and empathy
  • The role of technology in bridging emotional development gaps
Technological Interventions for Emotional Intelligence
  • Overview of metaverse technologies and their applications for autism therapy
  • AI tools for developing emotional intelligence: emotion recognition software, personalized feedback, and adaptive scenarios
  • Virtual environments for role-playing and perspective-taking to enhance empathy
Applying Knowledge to Practice: Case Examples
  • An autistic teenager practicing emotional regulation through an immersive VR relaxation program
  • A child with autism improving perspective-taking skills via AI-guided interactive scenarios
  • A young adult with ASD developing self-awareness using wearable AI tools to monitor emotional cues
Ethical Considerations and Managing Risks
  • Overstimulation and reliance on technology
Risks and Limitations of Research and Techniques

Target Audience

  • Occupational Therapists
  • Occupational Therapy Assistants
  • Speech-Language Pathologists
  • Teachers/School-Based Personnel
  • Psychologists
  • Licensed Clinical/Mental Health Counsellors
  • Social Workers
  • Marriage & Family Therapists
  • School Administrators
  • Physical Therapists
  • Physical Therapist Assistants

Reviews

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