Can Robotic Systems Promote Self-Disclosure in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder? A Pilot Study

Abstract

Research suggests that many individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often demonstrate challenges providing appropriate levels of information during conversational interchanges. Considering the preference of individuals with ASD, and recent rapid technological advances, robotic systems may yield promise in promoting certain aspects of conversation and interaction such as self-disclosure of appropriate personal information. In the current work, we evaluated personal disclosures of events with specific emotional content across two differing robotic systems (android and simplistic humanoid) and human interactions. Nineteen participants were enrolled in this study: 11 (2 women and 9 men) adolescents with ASD and 8 (4 women and 4 men) adolescents with TD. Each participant completed a sequence of three interactions in a random order. Results indicated differences regarding comfort level and length of disclosures between adolescents with ASD and typically developing (TD) controls in relation to system interactions. Specifically, adolescents with ASD showed a preference for interacting with the robotic systems compared to TD controls and demonstrated lengthier disclosures when interacting with the visually simple humanoid robot compared to interacting with human interviewer. The findings suggest that robotic systems may be useful in eliciting and promoting aspects of social communication such as self-disclosure for some individuals with ASD.

Hikikomori : Multidimensional understanding, assessment, and future international perspectives

“…128 These robots have been utilized in a variety of situations to combat social difficulties with psychiatric disorders, especially autism and dementia. [129][130][131] We believe that these robots can resolve loneliness at least to some degree, especially for single-person households with hikikomori. 2,132 The development of pet-like robots capable of conversation on an emotional level is progressing at a fast pace and there is hope that such robots can assist hikikomori cases with the alleviation of loneliness and serve as a first step towards increased social interactions/sociability.…”

“…Furthermore, pet‐like robots, such as Sony's Aibo, a dog‐like robot, have been developed based on advanced technologies, which might enable humans to communicate with emotional satisfaction . These robots have been utilized in a variety of situations to combat social difficulties with psychiatric disorders, especially autism and dementia . We believe that these robots can resolve loneliness at least to some degree, especially for single‐person households with hikikomori .…”

COVID‐19 and Autism Research: Perspectives from Around the Globe

“…We have conducted a lot of research on using social robots for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) [Kumazaki et al, 2018a;Kumazaki et al, 2018b;Kumazaki et al, 2019]. Unlike human beings, robots operate within predictable and lawful systems, and thus offer children with ASD a highly structured learning environment that can help them focus on relevant stimuli.…”

Optimal robot for intervention for individuals with autism spectrum disorders

“…4,8,[11][12][13][14] Specifically, their task engagement is better when facing a robot than when facing a human. [14][15][16][17] In general, the affinity of humans to another person is stronger than that to artificial objects. For individuals with ASD, however, neither preference bias toward humans 18 nor repulsion toward artificial objects (in contrast to real humans) is observed.…”

“…Previous studies have revealed its potential to improve JA in children with ASD (age, 2-4 years), 4 and to reduce the percentage of stereotyped behavior in children with ASD (age, 5-13 years). 28 CommU CommU 15,16,[37][38][39] ( Fig. 1f; height, 30 cm; weight, 740 g) is a childsized humanoid robot and is characterized by having clearly distinguishable eyes.…”