ASD-ROBOT: AN APPROACH THAT TAKES INTO ACCOUNT THE SENSORIALITY IN THE INTERACTION BETWEEN CHILD, THERAPIST AND ROBOT

This paper focuses on robots used in educational and therapeutical interventions for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Children with autism show a different way of perceiving environmental stimuli, they interpret reality based on the different cognitive and communicative styles that are often a source of discomfort. This work, based on the studies carried out on the interaction between the robot and the child with autism, highlights how robots (properly programmed) can bring benefits to children with sensory problems, and promote social interaction and communication. The aim of the research is to implement the prototype named ASD-Robot already tested, in a first test, at the "Collodi" primary school in Pagani in the province of Salerno, through interventions aimed at supporting children who show difficulties in social interaction, paying attention to different sensory perceptions that characterize children with ASD and helping them to understand the surrounding environment.