Socially assistive robots: current status and future prospects for autism interventions

Abstract

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.

Socially Assistive Robots for Older Adults and People with Autism: An Overview

“…In recent years, the use of SAR has become popular for the treatment and diagnosis of autism [36]. Indeed, the research in this field has presented an increase in user therapy acceptance and improvements in their social skills [37].…”

Corona virus (COVID- 19) and education for all achievement: artificial intelligence and special education needs- achievements and challenges

“…Teachers as protectors have been executing this role through different methods including observing behaviors, physical appearance, emotional stabilities, listening to concerns expressed by pupils, Valiente, C. et al, (2012). The teaching fraternity like others has enjoyed support of modern technologies in this regards as asserted: socially assistive robots (SARs) has assisted human development in many respects including physical assistance, therapy delivery, building behavioral skills, treatment and diagnosis of disorders; and analysis of human behaviors, Dickstein-Fischer L.A. (2017). AI has the capacity to diagnosis a student to enable authorities to design appropriate intervention methods to support him or her.…”

A Review of the State-of-the-Art of Assistive Technology for People with ASD in the Workplace and in Everyday Life

“…Robots have been shown to provoke proactive social behaviour in individuals with ASD, especially with children [18], [38], [15]. Robot therapy for autism has been explored as one of the first application domains in the field of socially assistive robotics (SAR), which aims at developing robots that assist people with special needs through social interactions [38].…”