Robot Assistive Therapy Strategies for Children with Autism

Abstract Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a category of neurodevelopmental characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction across multiple contexts as well restricted, repetitive patterns behaviour, interests, or activities. Social robots offer clinicians new ways to interact work with people ASD. Robot-Assisted Training (RAT) growing body research HRI, which studies how can assist enhance human skills during task-centred interaction. RAT systems have wide range application for children Aims: In pilot RCT an experimental group control group, aims will be: assess differences maladaptive behaviours (RMBs), affective states performance tasks sessions within each group; the perception family relationships between two groups before post robot interaction; develop robotic app capable run Raven’s Progressive Matrices (RPM), test typically used measure general intelligence compare accuracy capture data that psychologists. Material Methods: Patients mild moderate level ASD be enrolled study last 3 years. The sample size is: 60 patients (30 located 30 group) indicated evaluation estimated enrolment time. Inclusion criteria following: eligibility confirmed using Diagnostic Observation Schedule −2; age ≥ 7 years; clinician judgment clinical psychology evaluation; written parental consent approved local ethical committee. conducted over 10 weeks participant, pretest first study. training provided intermediate eight weeks, one session week, total 8 sessions. Baseline follow-up include: socioeconomic status families assessed Hollingshead scale; Communication Questionnaire (SCQ) screen functioning ASD; Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale, 2nd edition (VABS) capabilities dealing everyday life; severity variety children’s ripetitive also Repetitive Scale-Revised (RBS-R). Moreover, assessment Portfolio validation acceptance refusal (PARENTS). Expected Results: 1) improbe skills; 2) reduced behaviors; 3) more positive relationships; 4) improved performance. Conclusions: train user (physical cognitive) skills, through interaction, not users complete task thus target providing personalized targeted assistance towards maximizing learning effects. Robotics manage therapy sessions, gather analyse like interactions patient generate useful information form reports graphs, are powerful tool therapist check patient’s progress facilitate diagnosis.