Enhancing Social Skills in Children with Autism and ADHD: Evaluating the Impact of an Interactive Multisensory Physical Movements Model Combined with Traditional Behavioral Therapies

Dr. Liton Furukawa stands at the forefront of ethical health research as a postdoctoral fellow and Research Ethics Review Officer at Royal Roads University, skillfully navigating complex ethical landscapes while fostering collaboration across diverse stakeholders. She leads this pioneering project as PI funded by the Increasing Capacity for Maternal and Pediatric Clinical Trials (IMPaCT) and Michael Smith Health Research BC. 

Guided by Dr. Mary Bernard, Program Head and Research Ethics Board Chair, Dr. Furukawa is distinguished as one of only four IMPaCT-funded postdocs across Canada in 2025, uniquely representing British Columbia. As a multisensory intervention specialist and educational psychologist, she innovatively weaves music, art, and rhythm into transformative therapies for neurodiverse children.  

Dr. Furukawa’s groundbreaking project is a BC-based initiative with promising international collaboration through matched funding, positioning it at the forefront of innovative autism and ADHD research. The project addresses a critical gap in current therapies that primarily manage symptoms without targeting the underlying causes, limiting long-term improvements in children’s social and emotional functioning. By pioneering an Interactive Multisensory Physical Movements model combined with traditional behavioral therapies, this research engages children aged 5-12 with ASD and ADHD through immersive, technology-driven activities that stimulate multisensory integration and full-body involvement. 

In BC, Dr. Furukawa works as a PI integrating cutting-edge scientific tools – such as holography, eye tracking, and virtual reality – with established behavioral therapies to revolutionize the development of social skills and emotional regulation. This novel intervention aims to transcend conventional methods by offering a dynamic, engaging therapeutic experience tailored to the mental and physical needs of each child. Anticipated outcomes include marked improvements in social interaction, reductions in behavioral challenges, and enhanced participation in daily activities, promising to elevate the quality of life for affected children. 

The impact of this research will extend beyond individual benefits, potentially transforming understanding and care provision for neurodevelopmental disorders within the BC health system. By demonstrating the efficacy of combining advanced technology with behavioral science, Dr. Furukawa’s project could set a new standard for personalized interventions that address core deficits rather than symptoms alone. This innovation holds the promise to reduce healthcare burdens, improve long-term outcomes, and inspire scalable, technology-empowered therapeutic models across Canada and internationally.