Using Robotics to Promote Social Cognitive Skills in the Inclusive Classroom

This project develops and evaluates the technical feasibility of implementing a suite of Social Activity Modules to be used with the CosmoBot™ system, an interactive robotic toolkit, for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The CosmoBot™ system is equipped with social activity modules and interactive games to engage multiple children, providing an engaging, effective mode of delivering social skills training to children with ASD. Phase I examines the technical feasibility of unobtrusive monitoring for multiple child interaction with a robot. As children with ASD gain social skills, they may experience more inclusion in social activities with peers, resulting in more positive, interactive experiences, and concomitant increases in opportunities for learning.