Robot Assisted Play for Children with Disabilities

Abstract

Children learn through interacting with their environment. Most children develop their cognitive and linguistic abilities though play interactions. The Lego Mindstorms Robotic Invention SystemT is a tool that children with physical disabilities can use to facilitate play interactions. Over a four week period, a single participant learned how to use two Lego Mindstorms robots in play activities. The participant was able to achieve planned control over the robots by using head-mounted switches and a switch-adapted remote control. He demonstrated quick learning with various types of interactive play activities. The Lego Mindstorms Robotic Invention System was found to be a valuable tool for observing how children with physical disabilities can learn through play interactions.