Skip to content
DSML.KZ
Publications

Article · Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders · January 27, 2022

Effects of Parental Involvement in Robot-Assisted Autism Therapy

Aida Amirova, Nazerke Rakhymbayeva, Aida Zhanatkyzy, Zhansaule Telisheva, Anara Sandygulova

Zhansaule Telisheva
Open via DOIPDF

Abstract

Parental involvement in traditional autism therapy is key to the effective treatment of children with ASD. Little is known about parental involvement in robot-assisted autism therapy (RAAT)-novel therapeutic support for children with ASD. Our study investigates the effect of parental presence on multiple-session RAAT conducted with 16 children with ASD. They interacted with the social robot in the presence or absence of their parents. We measured children's socio-behavioral outcomes and conducted semi-structured interviews with parents. Parents did not necessarily affect the children's outcomes during the interventions. However, children's autism-related symptoms resulted in different socio-behavioral outcomes between sessions with and without parents. Most parents have reported positive changes in their children's behaviors when interacting with the robot.

Social Robot Interaction and HRIAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchHuman-Animal Interaction Studiesparental involvementrobot-assisted therapyautism spectrum disorder

More by Zhansaule Telisheva