Helping Kids Adapt to New Situations
Busy Bus is an innovative virtual reality experience designed to help children—especially those with autism—adapt to the often overwhelming environment of riding a school bus. Developed in collaboration with researchers at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, Busy Bus immerses children in a realistic but controlled VR environment so they can practice and become familiar with new experiences before they happen in real life.
The Holland Bloorview pilot study on virtual reality is now complete, and we’re inviting 100 families in Ontario to try Busy Bus at home with their children.
In our research, 10% of children showed significant reductions in anxiety a month after using Busy Bus, and another 30% showed some improvement. Our latest findings suggest that using Busy Bus for 5-7 minutes daily over five days before a new experience—like riding a bus or visiting a dental office—may help children feel better prepared and less anxious.
However, it’s important to remember that results vary for each child. Not all children will experience the same benefits. That’s why we’re inviting families to participate and share feedback to help us keep improving Busy Bus for every child and caregiver.
Learn more about the background of this project in the Holland Bloorview study announcement:
Read the Holland Bloorview Story
Interested? Sign up below to be considered for the Busy Bus product test!
