Autism Spectrum Disorder impacts an ever-increasing number of children. The disorder is marked by social functioning that is characterized by impairment in the use of nonverbal behaviors, failure to develop appropriate peer relationships and lack of social and emotional exchanges. Providing early intervention through the modality of play therapy has been effective in improving behavioral and social outcomes for children with autism. Interacting with humanoid robots that provide simple emotional response and interaction has been shown to improve the communication skills of autistic children. In particular, early intervention and continuous care provide significantly better outcomes. Currently, there are no robots capable of meeting these requirements that are both low-cost and available to families of autistic children for in-home use. This paper proposes the piloting the use of robotics as an improved diagnostic and early intervention tool for autistic children that is affordable, non-threatening, durable, and capable of interacting with an autistic child. This robot has the ability to track the child with its 3 degree of freedom (DOF) eyes and 3-DOF head, open and close its 1-DOF beak and 1-DOF each eyelids, raise its 1-DOF each wings, play sound, and record sound. These attributes will give it the ability to be used for the diagnosis and treatment of autism. As part of this project, the robot and the electronic and control software have been developed, and integrating semi-autonomous interaction, teleoperation from a remote healthcare provider and initiating trials with children in a local clinic are in progress.

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Social robots interact with people through social interactions, physical assistance, and therapy delivery. Socially assistive robots (SARs) are specifically intended to assist in a therapeutic way to help build social behavior skills. One area where SARs have gained significant attention is in the treatment and diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. With the increase in rates of individuals diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, there is an increasing need for equitable and accessible applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy services. Current barriers for sufficient access to therapy include high administrative burden, burnout rates on the part of ABA therapists, and affordability of services. One way to reduce administrative burden is to automate procedures using computer-based interventions, including SARs. SARs have the potential to increase client engagement, while at the same time making it possible for therapists to provide a more interactive session for their client. We argue that there is benefit to clients, therapists, scientists, and to the general public if behavior analysts can work with robotic design engineers for further research and development on SARs. Such collaboration is necessary for ensuring that robust SAR designs are embedded in conceptually systematic approaches to ABA, while at the same time integrating relevant engineering design considerations. This technological integration is important for the field of ABA to move forward as robotics become more commonplace, and to effectively address the cost, quality, and access considerations involved.

It is estimated that Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects 1 in 68 children. Early identification of an ASD is exceedingly important to the introduction of an intervention. We are developing a robot-assisted approach that will serve as an improved diagnostic and early intervention tool for children with autism. The robot, named PABI® (Penguin for Autism Behavioral Interventions), is a compact humanoid robot taking on an expressive cartoon-like embodiment. The robot is affordable, durable, and portable so that it can be used in various settings including schools, clinics, and the home. Thus enabling significantly enhanced and more readily available diagnosis and continuation of care. Through facial expressions, body motion, verbal cues, stereo vision-based tracking, and a tablet computer, the robot is capable of interacting meaningfully with an autistic child. Initial implementations of the robot, as part of a comprehensive treatment model (CTM), include Applied Behavioral Analysis (ABA) therapy where the child interacts with a tablet computer wirelessly interfaced with the robot. At the same time, the robot makes meaningful expressions and utterances and uses stereo cameras in eyes to track the child, maintain eye contact, and collect data such as affect and gaze direction for charting of progress. In this paper we present the clinical justification, anticipated usage with corresponding requirements, prototype development of the robotic system, and demonstration of a sample application for robot-assisted ABA therapy.

School counselors are uniquely poised to influence career development among middle and high school students interested in nursing. This study examined 204 school counselors' perceptions about nursing and secondary educational preparation. Despite national and local efforts to increase enrollment in baccalaureate and higher nursing programs, counselors remain unaware of the need for increased education in nursing. Nurse educators need to align with school counselors to adequately prepare students interested in nursing as a health career.