SOCIAL ROBOTICS, ANTHROPOMORPHISM AND VIDEO MODELING FOR PEOPLE WITH AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER - COMPARATIVE APPROACHES TO INTERVENTION

This short paper gives brief thoughts on Video Modelling (VM) and Social Robots (albeit in a raw fashion!). The issue of anthropomorphism could be reflected in regard to the role language plays in autism interventions. The use of SR could allow the variables often related as intention, mental capacity, emotional and social capacity to be operationalised and impact of same to be assessed in VM learning situations.

What is Video Modelling?
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) may have to cope with often experience deficits in social and communication skills and a tendency to exhibit inappropriate behaviors in social situations. Video modeling is a mode of teaching that uses video recording and display to provide a visual model of the targeted behavior or skill. Skills can be displayed in part or in entirety and individuals are presented with clips to explore skill transfer from observing behavior on screen to real life situation. VM allows a consistent presentation of target behavior and allows for the control of the model behavior to enhance learning.
To date VM has facilitated individuals to improve skills in diverse areas such as social interaction, academic and functional skills, communication skills, daily living skills, vocational skills, play skills, perception of emotion, spontaneous requesting and perspective taking. Interestingly, the use of eye tracking to determine controlling roles of stimuli on screen is still a relatively new area of research.

Efficacy:
VM shown to be effective without knowing which part of the presentation is most effective in facilitating a change in behaviour of the person viewing. To date, there is a lack of clarity in the literature on the type of video presentation, perspective of clip (self or perspective of other), status of model (staff, family member or peer). There is no significant evidence in regard to the beneficial use of animation within VM interventions.

Benefits:
VM allows for relatively cost effective interventions in a broad range of areas. The literature demonstrates that front line staff can generate videos and possibly promote proactive skill development by building upon already developed skills of the individual with ASD. VM is considered a proven evidence based approach in context of ASD intervention.

Challenges:
Development of clips takes time and precision/Skill level in animation leads to specialist input which may be a barrier/Generalisation issues still exist/Staff training issues prevalent in services

Social Robotics (SR):
Social Robots have been utilised with ASD supports to provide consistent, predictable learning opportunities for individuals with ASD. Research has utilised interactions to simplify social learning situations to promote different aspects of social behaviour. Robots either are pre-programmed or contain a control system that a therapist could control the robot by remotely. Relatively new area in ASD and Applied Behaviour Analysis in regard to evidence of efficacy.