Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the use of a robot (Troy) in a low-dose treatment protocol for two children with Autism Spectrum disorder. The efficacy of intervention was measured by comparing social engagement in two contexts: interactions with two adults and interaction with an unfamiliar adult. During the treatment, a robot was included in pseudo-triadic interactions with the clinician and the child. The robot was programmed to perform simple actions that imitated the actions of the clinician in an effort to engage the child. These pseudo-triadic interactions were incorporated into intervention over the course of a 16-session intervention program. Each child's social engagement was assessed pre-intervention as well as post-intervention in the context of symbolic play in a triad and interaction with an unfamiliar adult. These pre-and post-intervention levels of social engagement were compared in order to detect significant gains after the intervention program with the robot. An increase in both participants' engaged behaviors during post-assessment measures was observed. One participant demonstrated significantly more engaged behaviors than the other.

Degree

MS

College and Department

David O. McKay School of Education; Communication Disorders

Rights

http://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/

Date Submitted

2011-04-21

Document Type

Thesis

Handle

http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd4415

Keywords

Autism, Robotics, Joint Attention, TiLar

Language

English

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