Improving Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the NAO Robot and a Human Action Recognition

<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disorders characterized by poor social skills, low motivation in activities, and a lack of interaction with others. Traditional intervention approaches typically require support under the direct supe...

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Main Authors: Abeer Alnafjan, Maha Alghamdi, Noura Alhakbani, Yousef Al-Ohali
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Diagnostics
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/1/60
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author Abeer Alnafjan
Maha Alghamdi
Noura Alhakbani
Yousef Al-Ohali
author_facet Abeer Alnafjan
Maha Alghamdi
Noura Alhakbani
Yousef Al-Ohali
author_sort Abeer Alnafjan
collection DOAJ
description <b>Background/Objectives:</b> Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disorders characterized by poor social skills, low motivation in activities, and a lack of interaction with others. Traditional intervention approaches typically require support under the direct supervision of well-trained professionals. However, teaching and training programs for children with ASD can also be enhanced by assistive technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics. <b>Methods:</b> In this study, we examined whether robotics can improve the imitation skills of children with autism and support therapists during therapeutic sessions. We designed scenarios for training hand clapping imitation skills using the NAO robot and analyzed the interaction between children with autism and the robot. <b>Results:</b> We developed a deep learning approach based on the human action recognition algorithm for analyzing clapping imitation. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings suggest that integrating robotics into therapeutic practices can effectively enhance the imitation skills of children with ASD, offering valuable support to therapists.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2075-4418
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publishDate 2024-12-01
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series Diagnostics
spelling doaj-art-fce258989768401598e2d0906b6c77e02025-01-10T13:16:36ZengMDPI AGDiagnostics2075-44182024-12-011516010.3390/diagnostics15010060Improving Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the NAO Robot and a Human Action RecognitionAbeer Alnafjan0Maha Alghamdi1Noura Alhakbani2Yousef Al-Ohali3Computer Science Department, College of Computer and Information Sciences, Imam Mohammad Ibn Saud Islamic University (IMSIU), Riyadh 11432, Saudi ArabiaInformation Technology Department, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11543, Saudi ArabiaInformation Technology Department, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11543, Saudi ArabiaComputer Science Department, College of Computer and Information Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11543, Saudi Arabia<b>Background/Objectives:</b> Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of developmental disorders characterized by poor social skills, low motivation in activities, and a lack of interaction with others. Traditional intervention approaches typically require support under the direct supervision of well-trained professionals. However, teaching and training programs for children with ASD can also be enhanced by assistive technologies, artificial intelligence, and robotics. <b>Methods:</b> In this study, we examined whether robotics can improve the imitation skills of children with autism and support therapists during therapeutic sessions. We designed scenarios for training hand clapping imitation skills using the NAO robot and analyzed the interaction between children with autism and the robot. <b>Results:</b> We developed a deep learning approach based on the human action recognition algorithm for analyzing clapping imitation. <b>Conclusions:</b> Our findings suggest that integrating robotics into therapeutic practices can effectively enhance the imitation skills of children with ASD, offering valuable support to therapists.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/1/60robotautismtherapyhuman action recognitionimitationconvolutional neural network
spellingShingle Abeer Alnafjan
Maha Alghamdi
Noura Alhakbani
Yousef Al-Ohali
Improving Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the NAO Robot and a Human Action Recognition
Diagnostics
robot
autism
therapy
human action recognition
imitation
convolutional neural network
title Improving Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the NAO Robot and a Human Action Recognition
title_full Improving Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the NAO Robot and a Human Action Recognition
title_fullStr Improving Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the NAO Robot and a Human Action Recognition
title_full_unstemmed Improving Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the NAO Robot and a Human Action Recognition
title_short Improving Imitation Skills in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder Using the NAO Robot and a Human Action Recognition
title_sort improving imitation skills in children with autism spectrum disorder using the nao robot and a human action recognition
topic robot
autism
therapy
human action recognition
imitation
convolutional neural network
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4418/15/1/60
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