Outcomes of a Robot-Assisted Social-Emotional Understanding Intervention for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Journal: Journal of autism and developmental disorders
Published Date: Jun 1, 2020

Abstract

This study is a randomized control trial aimed at testing the role of a human-assisted social robot as an intervention mediator in a socio-emotional understanding protocol for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Fourteen children (4-8 years old) were randomly assigned to 10 sessions of a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) intervention implemented in a group setting either with or without the assistance of a social robot. The CBT protocol was based on Rational Emotive Behaviour Therapy (REBT) principles. Pre- and post-intervention assessments were conducted using the Test of Emotional Comprehension (TEC) and the Emotional Lexicon Test (ELT). Substantial improvements in contextualized emotion recognition, comprehension and emotional perspective-taking through the use of human-assisted social robots were attained.

Authors

  • Flavia Marino
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Paola Chilà
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Stefania Trusso Sfrazzetto
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Cristina Carrozza
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Ilaria Crimi
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Chiara Failla
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Mario Busà
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Giuseppe Bernava
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Gennaro Tartarisco
    Clinical Physiology Institute, National Research Council of Italy (IFC-CNR), Messina Unit, 98125, Messina, Italy.
  • David Vagni
    National Research Council of Italy (CNR) - Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems "Eduardo Caianiello" (ISASI), via Torre Bianca snc, Istituto Marino di Mortelle, 98168, Messina, Italy.
  • Liliana Ruta
    Department of Developmental Neuroscience, Stella Maris Scientific Institute, 56018 Calambrone, Pisa, Italy.
  • Giovanni Pioggia
    Institute of Applied Sciences and Intelligent Systems, National Research Council of Italy (ISASI-CNR), Messina Unit, Italy.

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