Dive Brief:

• New research hints that social robots may be the key to helping autistic students develop stronger social skills.
• While the research from social robot developer RoboKind is still in preliminary phases, the results thus far indicate that students with Autism Spectrum Disorders participate more in autism therapy when they are working with a social robot than with a human being.
• In the U.S., 1 in 68 children is affected by Autism Spectrum Disorders.

Dive Insight:

The reality is that many schools are unfortunately ill-equipped to help students with autism, even though they are required by law to provide necessary resources and a free, equal education to all students. Any research like this can be an asset not just to educators, but families as well.

Milo, the RoboKind robot being tested in this research, focuses on four areas with autistic students: emotional, social, conversation, and relaxation. For more information, check out RoboKind's website, as well as Education Dive's firsthand accounts from this year's SXSWedu and last year's ISTE.