Autistic Children And Robots
Robots are constantly improving, to the point that many are part of our lives (food processors, vacuum cleaners, etc). In this gradual incorporation into our routine, some have acquired human form. The unstoppable progress of these automata can be frightening. However, the possibilities they offer us and will be able to offer us in the future are immense; among these, one of particular importance is the help they offer to children with autism.
Many autistic children suffer from social isolation and difficulty communicating. This hinders our chances of offering them help. It is as if we find ourselves in front of a wall. However, it appears that robots have a better chance of success.
Autistic children interact with robots
It is curious: many autistic children cannot communicate with those around them, but these difficulties disappear with a robot. We are talking about small, simple emotional robots with eyes and limbs.
These robots have given way to what might be called “robot therapy”. A new way of dealing with patients’ problems. But … how and why do robots succeed in what is impossible for humans?
To try to find answers, we discover the story of Giovanni, a 6-year-old boy who was diagnosed with autism four years ago. He stopped talking, to relate to other people and withdrew more and more in himself. Due to this, he developed a strong aggression.
Giovanni’s mother no longer knew where to turn. They had followed the recommended therapies, but they were of no use. It seemed that, instead of improving, his situation was getting worse. When her mother heard about the possibility of therapy with robots, she didn’t think twice. The results were not long in coming.
For some reason, John began to emerge from the bubble in which he had immersed himself and which isolated him from other people. He began to interact with the robot he was doing therapy with. His mother could not hold back the emotion. His son touched the robot, laughed and even repeated some words emitted by the automaton. An incredible success.
Autistic children and interaction with robots
We might think that if Giovanni was able to interact with the robot with whom he was doing therapy and not with people, he would do it only in his presence. However, this factor would affect his daily life. However, this is not the case. All the advances made with the robot help autistic children to relate to their surroundings.
By isolating themselves, having stopped talking and relating to others, these children are unable to improve their communication skills. Thanks to robot therapy, however, their vocabulary progressively improves and, as we have seen, their emotions have also been stimulated. They start laughing and expressing their mood.
Perhaps without this therapy Giovanni would never have been able to get out of his isolation. Maybe he needed more time. The only thing we know is that this new therapy has yielded the expected results by helping many children with extraordinary abilities to relate to their surroundings and develop their social skills.
Many autistic children have an impressive talent for music or painting, for example. In these activities they unleash all their creativity. It is the only form of interaction that can perform. Now they can get closer to a more “human” type of interaction. The robots enable children with autism to transfer the progress achieved to their daily lives.
Currently, there is still no cure for autism. However, new ways are still being sought to stimulate children with autism to make progress and to acquire tools that allow them to interact with their surroundings. Robots seem to be an excellent tool.
