Technology for Autism
In this present, new technology significantly becomes a part of human lives, and no exception for special kids like, those with autism. Some new
technology can help them improve their communicate skills, develop their
social skills or even increase their ability to learn.
There are many researchers and specialists trying to
adapt technology to help autist children develop their skills. For example, Robins, Dautenhahn, Boekhorst and Billard (2004) worked on the Aurora
project which uses robots in therapy and education of children with autism
and found out that children can interact to robots gradually. However, they
suggest long-term studies. Moreover, Michaud and
Turmel (2002) were investigating the use of mobile robotic toys which can move
autonomously in the environment and interact in various manners to build up
autism children self-esteem by use of reinforcement.
Researchers at the University of
Birmingham have used two knee-high robots name “Max” and “Ben” to help
autistic children with their social and communication skills. These robots were developed
by the French company Aldebaran who are working with educational experts from the University
of Birmingham.
The robots have been tested at Topcliffe Primary
School in Castle Vale, Birmingham. It can dance to “Thriller”, emulate Tai Chi
and play games e.g. play a number of interactive mind games and give children
rewards by dancing. The school use it to teach phonics and play cards or memory
and imitation games with children aged 5 to 10 year olds. Interestingly, the
research shows that robots can motivate and engage autism students in the
social and communication skills.
Referrences:
Burns, J. (2012). Robots in the Classroom help
Autistic Children Learn (Electronic version). BBC News: Education &
Family. Retrieved December 1, 2012, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20252593.
Michaud, F. & Turmel, C.T. (2002). Mobile
Robotic Toys and Autism. Socially Intelligent Agents Multiagent Systems, Artificial
Societies, and Simulated Organizations, 3,
125-132.
Robins, B., Dautenhahn, K., Boekhorst, R.T., &
Billard, A. (2004, March). Effects of Repeated Exposure to a Humanoid Robot
on Children with Autism. Presented at Cambridge Workshop Uniersal Access
and Assistive Technology (CWUAAT), Cambridge, UK.
Youtube:
Thank you Kus for giving this information. These interactive robots can really stimulate the motivation of those children with Autism to learn social communicative skills. But the robot toys are still too expensive for most schools or parents to afford.
ReplyDeleteI really like the idea that technology contributes to vulnerable kids who need more attention and care both physically and mentally. Using robots can help autism kids in some extend. However, compared to human effort, does it work more effectively? As we know that autism kids need more care and attention from others. What they need is to get more connected with others. And also they need companion who has emotion to communicate, while robots can have any function but emotion. Moreover, kids especially vulnerable kids are unique from one to another. They have different background. And even the factors causing their autism are different. Can robots really communicate based on kids' differentiation? Or using robots is just supplementary method?
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