The Use of Robots in Autism Therapy

Abstract

How can we use robots to help therapy of children with ASD? Several researchers have devoted their studies of the use of robots in the development of cognitive and behavioral skills in children with ASD, however, these studies are still at an early stage of research. Most children with ASD have difficulties in developing social behavior and they appear to live in their own world. The project RobA³tica-Autismo has the goal to improve the social life of children with autism with a main focus on promoting their social interaction and communication. The basic concerns of the use of these technologies with this target group are gaining the initial necessary trust of the therapists and parents, the adaptation of the activities to each child and the possible promotion of isolation. Nowadays, parents are bombarded with solutions for their children with ASD: traditional therapies, dangerous drugs, intensive diets or strict routines. Introducing a new element to the existing therapies in Portuguese schools can be seen as opportunism. To counteract this effect, the research team should study and investigate all the possible advantages and disadvantages of using this type of technology.