Can robots really help children with autism? The developers of new robotic smart toy called "Leka" seem to think so. Leka is designed by inventors from the Paris-based company of the same name, and its CEO Ladislas de Toldi has hopes that the robot can help kids with autism to develop learning skills.
At $490, the robot is still pricey, but for many parents, this may be a small price to pay to help their children. Leka is designed to teach its child user multiple skills through games such as hide and seek. When shaken, the robot is activated and moves to hide. The child then follows and looks for the robot, guided by the sound that it makes.
Leka has been tested on children with Down syndrome and then with kids with autism. It was seen that with the robot, both types of children were able to play autonomously or without supervision. It was something they had previously been unable to do. The robot encourages children to respond to stimulus and to move. For instance, Leka is programmed with a picture matching game that asks children to look for the real equivalent of the picture it shows. If Leka shows an apple picture, the child has to look for a real apple and show it to the robot. It can also teach words and colors.
All the progress a child makes while playing with Leka is recorded, and this feedback can be used to trace the development and improvement of the child.
Experts on autism, however, reiterate that the benefits of technology to monitor and teach children with autism aside, it has to be remembered that the children have special needs which need to be addressed by both professionals and the immediate family. Most ideally, the children need to be cared for in a home environment that helps them make the best of their strengths and good behavior.
Early intervention is important. The earlier observations are verified by experts and trained professionals, the better the chances of the child being able to cope with the areas of difficulty created by their condition. In the meantime, the needs of children with autism are multifaceted. This means that a child needs the help of psychologists, medical specialists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, and special education teachers who will each address various areas of concern.
When it comes to the home environment, all the immediate relatives of children with autism should understand the nature of the condition. This is important because their awareness will enable them to be better equipped to respond to the child in a way that is supportive. A child with autism needs a sufficiently challenging but also supportive environment so they can thrive and develop. A number of exercises done in intervention sessions should also be implemented and reinforced at home so habits can develop in children with autism.
