Karine Silva
Papers
3
Total Citations
69
H-Index
3
About
Karine Silva’s research sits at the intersection of human-animal interaction, assistive robotics, and clinical psychology, with a focused mission to improve social and behavioral outcomes for individuals with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Her pioneering work systematically compares the therapeutic potential of living dogs versus robotic dogs, asking whether animal-assisted interventions can be effectively replicated or enhanced by technology. In her most cited study (2017, 31 citations), she demonstrated that dogs can help children with severe ASD comply with challenging demands, offering a novel, low-stress pathway for behavioral regulation. A subsequent comparative study (2019, 25 citations) showed that both living and robotic dogs elicit social communication and regulated emotional responses, though live dogs often prompted richer engagement. Her 2019 work on spontaneous imitation (13 citations) further revealed that contact with dogs can unlock imitation skills—a cornerstone of social learning—in individuals where traditional methods fall short. By blending rigorous experimental design with compassionate inquiry, Silva has carved a niche that bridges animal behavior, robotics, and clinical intervention, offering practical tools for therapists and families while advancing theoretical understanding of social bonding and neurodiversity.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
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