Simone Dufresne
Papers
1
Total Citations
20
H-Index
1
About
Simone Dufresne is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of developmental robotics and clinical psychology, whose work has fundamentally reshaped how technology can support social skill development in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her most influential contribution, the 2013 paper "Comparing two LEGO Robotics-based interventions for social skills training with children with ASD," has garnered 20 citations and remains a cornerstone in the field. In this landmark study, Dufresne conducted a rigorous comparative analysis of two LEGO Robotics-based interventions, including a groundbreaking study with 16 children at the Unit of Pediatrics Psychology and Psychiatry in HSJD. Her work demonstrated that structured, robot-mediated activities could create predictable, engaging environments that reduce social anxiety while promoting collaboration, turn-taking, and joint attention. By bridging engineering and clinical practice, Dufresne provided empirical evidence that robotics can serve as a powerful scaffold for naturalistic social learning. Her research has inspired a generation of interdisciplinary projects and continues to inform the design of assistive technologies for neurodiverse populations, making her a vital voice in the movement toward inclusive, technology-enhanced therapeutic interventions.
Research Focus
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Top Papers
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