About

Dr. Chiara Failla is a leading researcher at the intersection of developmental neuroscience and assistive technology, whose work is fundamentally reshaping interventions for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Her primary research areas focus on robot-assisted therapy (RAT), information and communication technologies (ICTs), and virtual reality (VR) as tools for social-emotional learning. Dr. Failla’s most influential contribution is her 2019 study on robot-assisted social-emotional understanding, which has garnered 118 citations and demonstrated that humanoid robots can effectively promote social skills and communication in young children with ASD. Her comprehensive 2022 review, cited 71 times, critically examines the modalities, indications, and pitfalls of social robots, providing a foundational framework for the field. More recently, she has advanced the field through a systematic review of ICT-based interventions from a positive technology perspective (24 citations) and a pioneering 2024 exploration of VR as a tool for unlocking learning and growth in autism (18 citations). Dr. Failla’s work is notable for its translational impact, bridging cutting-edge robotics and immersive technologies with evidence-based clinical practice, making her a pivotal figure in the development of accessible, engaging, and effective therapeutic tools for neurodiverse children.

Research Focus

Key Achievements

4
H-Index
4
Papers
231
Total Citations
58
Avg Citations/Paper
🏆 Most Cited Paper
Outcomes of a Robot-Assisted Social-Emotional Understanding Intervention for Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
118 citations · 2019
📈 Most Prolific Year: 2019 (1 Papers)
🤝 Key Collaborators: 25
🏛 Institutions: Institute of Applied Science and Intelligent Systems, Institute for Biomedical Research and Innovation, Università degli Studi di Enna Kore

Top Papers

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3
  4. 4

Key Collaborators

Contact & Links

Available for collaboration
Content generated · 13 days ago