Effects of Assistive Robotics on Tantrums in Children with Low-Functioning Autism

Authors

Taylor Whitmer, Brigham Young University
Dr. Bonnie Brinton, Brigham Young University

Keywords

assistive robotics, tantrums, children, low-functioning Autism. ASD

College

David O. McKay School of Education

Department

Communication Disorders

Abstract

In recent studies, assistive robotics has been useful in increasing joint attention skills between a child with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and other individuals (Acerson, 2011). These data also show a potential change in tantrum behaviors before and after intervention sessions with the robot. Tantrum behaviors, although normal in young, typical developing children, often persist longer in children with ASD as a result of delayed language development (Osterman & Bjorkqvist, 2010). As tantrum behaviors persist, the time available for these children to learn is diminished as the focus of the child becomes the frustration causing the tantrum rather than the task the child needs to learn. Thus, this study focused on obtaining a quantifiable record of tantrum behaviors that were exhibited before and after robot intervention.

Recommended Citation

Whitmer, Taylor and Brinton, Dr. Bonnie (2013) "Effects of Assistive Robotics on Tantrums in Children with Low-Functioning Autism," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 9.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/9