Social robots in the instruction of social skills in autism: a comprehensive descriptive analysis of single-case experimental designs

Abstract

Purpose

The rapid technological advances, the traits of individuals with ASD and their interest in technology are promising for the instruction of social skills to individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) using various technological interventions. Robotic interventions are among these. However, although robotics is frequently used with individuals with ASD, there is a limited number of reviews on social skills instruction and methods. The present study aimed to conduct a comprehensive descriptive analysis on single-case experimental designs where social skills were instructed to individuals with ASD and social robots were included as independent variables.

Materials and methods

Thirteen single-case experimental designs published in peer-reviewed journals in which social skills were taught to individuals with ASD using social robots were reviewed with a comprehensive descriptive analysis based on five categories: (a) key characteristics, (b) methodological characteristics, (c) findings, (d) data analysis, and (e) key parameters in single-case experimental designs.

Results

Social robots are generally effective in the instruction of social skills. Several social skills (e.g., making eye contact, social interaction, simple greetings) were instructed in the studies. Humanoid robots and NAO were used generally. The study data were predominantly analyzed statistically. There were several problems in research based on the basic parameters in single-case experimental designs.

Conclusions

The researches in this study differ in several respects (e.g., results, data analysis, and dependent variable). Thus, there is still a need for several robotics studies in the instruction of social skills.

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

• This study will be a guide for teachers who currently use robots in their classrooms but do not know which skills to use in teaching and how to use them functionally, as it shows applied research with robots.

• The findings of this research will show implementers working with children with ASD that technological tools can be used in rehabilitation environments, and that teachers can take a place in their robots in interventions for children with ASD, giving them a different perspective.

• It will be seen that the education of children with ASD is not only 1:1 and with humans, but robots can also provide education. In this way, the power of technology in teaching will become clearer. Especially in rehabilitation.

• Finally, this research will offer new options in teaching especially for teachers who aim at teaching social skills and will give them the opportunity to comprehensively examine the processes of different studies on these subjects.

Keywords:

• Robot
• social robots
• autism spectrum disorders
• social skills
• human-robot interaction

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).