Alexendar (Alex) Lopez, J.D., OT/L, FAOTA, is an associate professor of occupational therapy in the School of Health Professions, whose area of expertise include pediatric occupational therapy and health advocacy. He is also the founder of the nonprofit gym Inclusive Sports and Fitness, Inc. (ISF), which works to meet the occupational needs of children with performance skill impairments and help them advance their sensorimotor, social, emotional, and cognitive abilities. ISF recently opened a location on New York Tech’s Long Island campus.

Lopez’s most recent study, conducted with faculty and students from the College of Osteopathic Medicine and an occupational therapy doctoral student, finds that virtual reality can motivate children and adolescents with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to participate in more physical activity and exercise. Due to delays in development, poor motor coordination, hypersensitivities, and difficulties with motivation and focus, these individuals are uninspired and discouraged from participating in physical activity. This lack of interest can lead to further impairments in health and developing social skills.

Lopez sat down with New York Institute of Technology Magazine to talk about how using technology to turn physical activities into a game could help more children with ASD stay active.