Using Robots in Education and Therapy Sessions for Children with Disabilities: Guidelines for Teachers and Rehabilitation Professionals

Abstract

Abstract. Within the co-funded European pr4oject IROMEC (IST-FP6-045356), aiming at developing and experimenting an innovative robotic toy to be used in play intervention addressed to children with motor-based, cognitive and developmental disabilities, specific guidelines for using robots in educational and rehabilitation environments have been developed. The guidelines are addressed to therapists, teachers and researchers aiming to promote inclusion in play of children with disabilities and are meant as a tool to apply robotics in play-based intervention.

CHARLIE : An Adaptive Robot Design with Hand and Face Tracking for Use in Autism Therapy

“…Furthermore, allowing the arms and head of the robot to detach, affords the child more continuous free play since there will be less concern over the child's safety and the integrity of the robot's hardware. As described in the IROMEC study [10], while the adult must fulfill a more active role for promoting play skills with autistic children, "much of the literature on childhood play emphasizes the importance of free play and the need to interfere as little as possible in the child's actions, thus underscoring the creative aspects that in essence cannot be controlled or oriented." It is expected that longer, uninterrupted interactions will maximize the opportunity for each child to benefit from each session.…”

“…Recent research in the area of robotics for children with special needs has yielded a comprehensive study by the IROMEC project [10] which describes the types of robot technologies and play scenarios most effective for children with various disabilities, how robots can be best used in therapeutic or educational settings, as well as detailed accounts involving the use of robots used for play activities and possible play-based methodologies. The testing protocol developed for the introduction and use of CHARLIE as a play tool for children with autism is based on the guidelines detailed in the IROMEC study.…”

Implementing a New Class-Lab

“…In an educational scenario, robotic artifacts have a key role, because the building and programming of small robots, as well as the simulation of their behavior, enable learners to develop high order cognitive skills (Caprino, Laudanna, & Besio, 2010;Rutten, van Joolingen, & van der Veen, 2012;). In fact, several studies on this technology demonstrate that cross skills are acquired in problem solving, thinking strategies, and understanding of new concepts (Benitti, 2012).…”