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Article
Social Robots as Embedded Reinforcers of Social Behavior in Children with Autism
Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders
  • Elizabeth Kim
  • Lauren Berkovits
  • Emily Bernier
  • Dan Leyzberg
  • Frederick Shic
  • Rhea Paul, Sacred Heart University
  • Brian Scassellati
Document Type
Peer-Reviewed Article
Publication Date
5-1-2013
Abstract

In this study we examined the social behaviors of 4- to 12-year-old children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD; N = 24) during three tradic interactions with an adult confederate and an interaction partner, where the interaction partner varied randomly among (1) another adult human, (2) a touchscreen computer game, and (3) a social dinosaur robot. Children spoke more in general, and directed more speech to the adult confederate, when the interaction partner was a robot, as compared to a human or computer game interaction partner. Children spoke as much to the robot as to the adult interaction partner. This study provides the largest demonstration of social human-robot interaction in children with autism to date. Our findings suggest that social robots may be developed into useful tools for social skills and communication therapies, specifically by embedding social interaction into intrinsic reinforcers and motivators.

DOI
10.1007/s10803-012-1645-2
Pages
1038-1049
Citation Information

Kim, E., Berkovits, L., Bernier, E., Leyzberg, D., Shic, F., Paul, R., & Scassellati, B. (2013). Social robots as embedded reinforcers of social behavior in children with autism. Journal Of Autism & Developmental Disorders, 43(5), 1038-1049. doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1645-2