My son is 16 year-old and ASD3 nonverbal. We purchased a metaquest 3 to try to enhance his homeschooling experience with educational destinations, apps, etc. We’re not confident that he will be able to be able to manipulate the headset controls. He has poor fine-motor skills. I’ve looked online for a way to externally control the VR headset, but I see that there isn’t anything developed yet. Given that this technology could really enhance the lives of many severely autistic and intellectually disabled people, it would be great if Meta would consider adaptive technology to allow parents or caregivers to manipulate the controls externally.
@PlayfulHowlerMonkey2954 this is not an ideal workaround, but you can cast what the headset user 'sees' to a phone, tablet, PC and some TVs. If you were sat behind you son and holding the controllers to the front/side of him, you would be able to to see what you were pointing at on the phone/tablet/PC. It may take a bit of getting used to but not impossible.
Four Rift CV1s, Quest 2, Quest 3, Lenovo Explorer WMR, GearVR
If you do control things from outside the headset, think of using apps where you aren't "walking" the user somewhere, only apps in which you click something and it triggers an action, or teleports the user.
Ideally, the person using the headset should control themselves. I suppose trying the apps yourself to see if they are suitable for your son is the best option - check to see if there is a trial period/money back first.
Yes, indeed. I would be very mindful of not "moving" someone like that. But imagine a virtual museum or some similar educational app. To view content, you have to use the controllers to target a button or buttons. My son doesn't have the fine motor skills to do that. I just want to make use of this wonderful tool for him. Thanks!
Ah ok. So of course sometimes it will depend on the app - sometimes it will be a click and it might be a hands-off experience (Titans of Space has a mode like that if I remember rightly - and it's a great app).
If it needs your input then yes, cast to another monitor, stand directly and close behind the user and you could input for him. Again, I recommend opting for trials, refunds if not suitable.
