Joint-attention development in children with ASD by using social robotics as an educational tool

Abstract

The aim of this work is to present the contribution that social assistive robots can make in the development of kids with special educational needs. In this particular case our target will be students with Autism Spectrum Disorder, but we hope the benefit of this intervention to be transferable to other people, in different situations. Using social robot Cozmo as a tool, we designed a pedagogical interaction, which objective is to diminish the communication barriers of this kids, in order to improve their life quality and allow them a better community and social participation. The interaction will last three months, during which the kids will have one session with Cozmo each week. We will measure their joint-attention abilities one month after the interactions, so as to know if playing with the robot produces not only punctual, but long term benefits. The measuring will be both quantitative and qualitative; using observation tables and interviews to the families and professionals in touch in the students.