The Use of Robotics in Enhancing Social Skills in School and Therapeutic Settings in Children and Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

The current review focuses on the approaches that have been implemented in the development of the appropriate communication skills to children and adolescents with ASD (autism spectrum disorder) through their interaction with therapeutic robots. This study aims to emphasize the importance of the fact that robots can play a major role in enhancing social skills in students with ASD. The authors present the latest evidence on research and the most popular robots which have been used in developing social and communicational skills to children and adolescents with ASD. In particular, they focus on the use of robots in imitation, attention, eye contact, emotional regulation, initiative, and language development. It is crucial to realize that the use of robots cannot be the only educational or therapeutic procedure for ASD, but they can be used in combination with therapy and education. Robots can be a valuable tool in order to assist educators and therapists to help students with ASD developing their communication and social skills.