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ERIC Number: EJ1449574
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Oct
Pages: 18
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0266-4909
EISSN: EISSN-1365-2729
Available Date: N/A
RoboCA[superscript 3]T: A Robot-Inspired Computer-Assisted Adaptive Autism Therapy for Improving Joint Attention and Imitation Skills through Learning and Computing Innovations
Zunera Zahid; Sara Ali; Shehriyar Shariq; Yasar Ayaz; Noman Naseer; Irum Yaseen
Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, v40 n5 p2031-2048 2024
Background: This study presents a Robot-Inspired Computer-Assisted Adaptive Autism Therapy (RoboCA[supercript 3]T) focusing on improving joint attention and imitation skills of children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). By harnessing the inherent affinity of children with ASD for robots and technology, RoboCA[superscript 3]T offers a therapeutic environment designed to maximise engagement and facilitate effective skill development. It harnesses the advantages of Robot-Assisted Therapies (RATs) by employing robot avatars and integrating them with Computer-Assisted Therapies (CATs) within a web-based solution. The integration of automatic gaze and pose detection algorithms within RoboCA[superscript 3]T addresses the challenge posed by potential human error and observation bias in assessing the child's progress, thereby ensuring accurate results. This research responds to the need for more effective, technology driven therapies for autism, filling gaps in existing methods. Objectives: The primary goal of this research is to create a robot inspired computer assisted adaptive autism therapy that maximises engagement and enhances joint attention and imitation skills. Methods: The study involves 11 ASD children with 30 sessions (divided into two halves) per module over eight months, comprising 660 experimental trials, 110 familiarizations, and 110 follow-up sessions. The joint attention module evaluates the subject's gaze pattern using WebGazer for gaze detection in response to four least-to-most robot-generated cues. The imitation module utilises robot-generated pose for comparing subjects' imitated actions using Tensorflow Lite for pose estimation. Results and Conclusions: The effectiveness of therapy was substantiated by comparing Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores before and after intervention. Significant improvements were noted between the first and second therapy halves, validated by Wilcoxon signed-rank tests (p < 0.01) and spearman's correlation analysis, reinforcing the observed improvements in joint attention and imitation skills.
Wiley. Available from: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030. Tel: 800-835-6770; e-mail: cs-journals@wiley.com; Web site: https://www-wiley-com.bibliotheek.ehb.be/en-us
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A