Name:Alexander Purcell

School/Affiliation:Wilfrid Laurier University

Co-Authors:N/A

Virtual or In-person:In-person

Short Bio:

I am an autistic researcher and musician dedicated to exploring how music enhances the lives of autistic individuals. My work focuses on the wellness and social benefits of music, particularly in emotional regulation and self-expression. As a passionate advocate for neurodiversity, I emphasize inclusive research methods that prioritize the voices and lived experiences of autistic individuals. I hold a Master of Arts from York University, where my research highlighted the need for more comprehensive studies on autistic musicians. I am also deeply interested in future therapeutic modalities for autism, including virtual reality (VR) and advanced neural imaging techniques. With over a decade of experience teaching music to neurodiverse students, I have witnessed firsthand how musical participation can significantly improve cognition and social skills within the autistic community. I am pursuing a Ph.D. in Community Music, focusing my thesis on original case studies that document the impact of music on the brains of autistic musicians.

Abstract:

This project introduces Tributaries, an immersive virtual reality (VR) environment designed to investigate how autistic children might experience music-making as a pathway for expression, regulation, and social inclusion. While music has long been recognized for its role in supporting wellbeing among autistic individuals, little research has examined the lived experiences of autistic children in immersive, interactive VR spaces.

Tributaries is structured around three interconnected zones: the Cove (calm, low-stimulation), the Rapids (rhythmic, energizing), and the Atlantic (open-ended collaboration). Using the Vision Pro headset, children move through these environments, triggering spatialized audio and poetic text through embodied interaction. Prototyping is currently underway in Xcode, with features including dynamic sound crossfading and real-time text triggers designed to encourage exploration, creativity, and play.

The presentation will showcase the prototype and outline the planned research design. A hermeneutic phenomenological approach will guide the study, with a pilot involving 2–3 children followed by a main study with 10–15 participants. Data collection will include observation, VR video capture, short child-friendly interviews, and complementary parent interviews. These methods are intended to generate rich insights into how autistic children make meaning through immersive musicking.

By focusing on inclusion, embodiment, and relationality, this work seeks to contribute to ongoing discussions about the role of technology in supporting autistic individuals. Tributaries aims to demonstrate how VR musicking can create safe, engaging, and imaginative environments that foster creativity and belonging. For autism research, it offers both a novel methodological approach and a prototype for technology-enhanced participation.