Robot Friends for Autistic Children

Author(s):  
Alexis Elder

Robots seem to have great therapeutic value for patients with autism spectrum disorders. But their usefulness derives from a potentially problematic source: their appealingly friendly presence, which can lead patients to think of them as friends, or even to prefer their companionship to that of human beings. In this chapter, an analogy between false friends and counterfeit currency is leveraged to explore a potential moral hazard posed by these therapeutic robots. An objection from the subjective nature of the value of friendship is raised, and refuted by an appeal to the importance of cultivating social capabilities. I conclude that the moral hazard can be mitigated by careful design and responsible use, and that these therapies offer genuine promise. But I argue that we must tread with caution when using robots in therapeutic applications where the appearance of friendship is liable to arise.

Author(s):  
Таміла Коломоєць ◽  
Дар’я Кассім

Kolomoiets N.H., Kassim D.A. Using the Augmented Reality to Teach of Global Reading of Preschoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Over the last decade a significant increasing of the number of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the world is marked. Ukraine is no exception. High rates of disease ASD require finding the new ways of correcting these groups of children. The aim of the research: to substantiate feasibility of using of the augmented reality’s technologies to teach of global reading in a special education of autistic children. In the course of the study an experiment, descriptive and comparative analysis methods, generalization, logical research method were used. Results of the research: it is shown that, it is expedient to use  technologies of the augmented reality in the educational and correctional process of children with ASD to teach them of global reading. Using the augmented reality reveals a number of new opportunities, the promising of which is an interaction with the artificial world through mobile devices, which are more accessible and predictable for the special development of autistic children. At the initial stage of teaching of global reading, the instrument of augmented reality is used in a set of successive task groups. The first of these is aimed at the development of visual perception, the formation of the ability to analyze, isolate and generalize, navigate in space. The second and third set of tasks included the teaching of children to understand the meaning of words, the correlation of words with images presented on the screen of gadgets. At the final stage, namely, teaching of global reading, the technology of augmented reality has opened unlimited possibilities for using of various text materials and virtual images to them. Conclusions: a) an analysis of experimental work with preschoolers with ASD suggests that the use of augmented reality in teaching of global reading of children helps to increase the efficiency of the educational and correctional process; b) the technology of the augmented reality has allowed rising to a qualitatively new level of mastering of global reading by autistic children; c) prospects for further experimental research will be the implementation of the proposed methodology and obtaining its effectiveness and efficiency in practice.


Author(s):  
Deepak Kumar Gupta ◽  
Dr.Bhartendra Sharma ◽  
Dr.Surendra Kumar Meena ◽  
Dr.Neha Jain

An understanding of how human beings cope with stressful situation represents an important dimension for understanding families with an exceptional child. The Psychiatric Dictionary defines defense mechanism as “the means by which the organism protects itself against impulses and threats” (Hensie and Campbell 1970). KEY WORDS –Autism Spectrum disorder (ASD).


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Modibo Sangare ◽  
Ya Diarra ◽  
Djeneba Konate ◽  
Mohamed S Haidara ◽  
Adama Karembe ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: In Mali, the national health facility-based prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) was 4.5% (105/2,343) and the age of first medical visit for autistic children was around 7 years old in 2018. Parental recognition of developmental abnormalities initiates the early autism detection and diagnosis. Our aim was to investigate if parental concerns were associated with early first medical visits and subsequent ASD diagnostic in Mali. Methods: We conducted a pilot study from November 2017 to July 2019. We surveyed parents of 57 out of 60 available autistic children aged 3-14 years old. Results: Parents were concerned over verbal communication in 54.1% and reciprocal social interaction in 43.8%. Children with ASD had their first medical visit after 18 months old in 66.7%, ≥ two medical visits in 87.7%, and were identified after 36 months old in 76.8%. Conclusion: Parental concerns were not significantly associated with early first medical visit and ASD identification. Our results will guide future full scale studies on parental concerns in ASD in Mali.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Tingting Hu ◽  
Yinmiao Dong ◽  
Caixia He ◽  
Mingyi Zhao ◽  
Qingnan He

Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a kind of neurodevelopmental disorder with rapidly increasing morbidity. In recent years, many studies have proposed a possible link between ASD and multiple environmental as well as genetic risk factors; nevertheless, recent studies have still failed to identify the specific pathogenesis. An analysis of the literature showed that oxidative stress and redox imbalance caused by high levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) are thought to be integral parts of ASD pathophysiology. On the one hand, this review aims to elucidate the communications between oxidative stress, as a risk factor, and ASD. As such, there is also evidence to suggest that early assessment and treatment of antioxidant status are likely to result in improved long-term prognosis by disturbing oxidative stress in the brain to avoid additional irreversible brain damage. Accordingly, we will also discuss the possibility of novel therapies regarding oxidative stress as a target according to recent literature. On the other hand, this review suggests a definite relationship between ASD and an unbalanced gastrointestinal tract (GIT) microbiota (i.e., GIT dysbiosis). A variety of studies have concluded that the intestinal microbiota influences many aspects of human health, including metabolism, the immune and nervous systems, and the mucosal barrier. Additionally, the oxidative stress and GIT dysfunction in autistic children have both been reported to be related to mitochondrial dysfunction. What is the connection between them? Moreover, specific changes in the GIT microbiota are clearly observed in most autistic children, and the related mechanisms and the connection among ASD, the GIT microbiota, and oxidative stress are also discussed, providing a theory and molecular strategies for clinical practice as well as further studies.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aida A Harutyunyan ◽  
Hayk A Harutyunyan ◽  
Konstantin B Yenkoyan

Abstract Background Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by persistent deficits in social communication and interaction and restricted-repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. ASD is generally associated with chronic inflammatory states, which are linked to immune system dysfunction and/or hyperactivation. The latter might be considered as one of the factors damaging neuronal cells. Several cell types trigger and sustain such neuroinflammation. Methods In this study, we traced different markers of immune system activation on both cellular (immune cell phenotypes) and mediatory levels (production of cytokines) alongside adverse hematology and biochemistry screening in a group of autistic children. In addition, we analyzed the main metabolic pathways potentially involved in ASD development – energy (Krebs cycle components), porphyrin and neurotransmitter metabolism. Several ASD etiological factors like heavy metal intoxication and risk factors – genetic polymorphisms of the relevant neurotransmitters and vitamin D receptors were also analyzed. Finally, broad linear regression analysis allowed us to elucidate the possible scenario that led to the development of chronic inflammation in ASD patients. Results Our data strongly support the lead induced, VDR Taq and MAO-A associated mitochondrial dysfunction, and CD4 + CD3 + T-cell dependent immune system activation and chronic inflammation as the key pathogenetic events in autism spectrum disorders. Moreover, our data supports the CD4 + CD3 + T-cell dependence of mitochondrial dysfunction development in ASD patient reported in our previous study. Limitations Difficulties to obtain target biological material (in this case cerebrospinal fluid, CSF) from autistic children under the age of 6 years and the small population of such patients limited our data from the qualitative and quantitative points of view. Nevertheless, the huge range of complex and target measurements has done partially overlap this flaw. Conclusions We come to the conclusion that redox-immune cross-talk is considered a main functional cell damaging factor in ASD patients.


Author(s):  
Shigeru Ikuta ◽  
Chisato Ouchi ◽  
Jinko Tomiyama ◽  
Yayoe Katagiri ◽  
Shoko Hoshi ◽  
...  

Original teaching materials with dot codes were created for use with autistic children with intellectual and expressive language disabilities. One of the authors (S. I.) created “Post-it” sticker icons on which dot codes were printed and shared these with teachers of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Each sticker icon was linked with up to four multimedia mediums of expression, such as a movie, in addition to up to four voices/sounds. Touching a dot code icon with a speaking-pen enables audios to be replayed, and touching a dot code icon with a dot-code reader with Bluetooth functionality enables multimedia to be replayed on iOS and Windows OS devices. New software to create self-made teaching materials with dot codes was developed by Gridmark Inc., with the help of author S. I. Basic information on creating original teaching materials using this newly developed software and its use in schools for students with ASD are presented in this chapter.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2014 ◽  
pp. 1-5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elif Funda Sener ◽  
Didem Behice Oztop ◽  
Yusuf Ozkul

Aim. Autism is a subgroup of autism spectrum disorders, classified as a heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorder and symptoms occur in the first three years of life. The etiology of autism is largely unknown, but it has been accepted that genetic and environmental factors may both be responsible for the disease. Recent studies have revealed that the genes involved in the folate/homocysteine pathway may be risk factors for autistic children. In particular, C677T polymorphism in the MTHFR gene as a possible risk factor for autism is still controversial. We aimed to investigate the possible effect of C677T polymorphism in a Turkish cohort. Methods. Autism patients were diagnosed by child psychiatrists according to DSM-IV and DSM-V criteria. A total of 98 children diagnosed as autistic and 70 age and sex-matched children who are nonautistic were tested for C677T polymorphism. This polymorphism was studied by using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods. Results. MTHFR 677T-allele frequency was found to be higher in autistic children compared with nonautistic children (29% versus 24%), but it was not found statistically significant. Conclusions. We conclude that other MTHFR polymorphisms such as A1298C or other folate/homocysteine pathway genes may be studied to show their possible role in autism.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 16
Author(s):  
Paschalis Kavaliotis

The resilience of parents with children with autism is a key concept in the confrontation of the autism challenges which demand parents who are mentally healthy and who will be in a position to satisfy the special needs of their autistic children, however, without sinking into loneliness and isolation which affect the less resistant families and upset their inner balance. The parents resort to various sources for the strengthening of resilience, it is the power of God both as a cause of the origin of autism and as the unique or one of the possible ways of resolving the problem. This survey investigated the views on divine will as to the origin and confrontation of autism in families of Christians and Muslims and it attempted to highlight the possible differences in the culture of these groups that are different in terms of culture and religion. The parents of 312 autistic children in Greece, all of them couples, namely 624 men and women, constituted the population sample. The quantitative survey results showed that the Greek Christians satisfy more efficiently their child’s needs, perhaps because they attribute lesser importance to the factor of the Divine compared to the parents of other religions. The weaker connection between the origin and management of the disease and the Divine will allows them to invest in scientific help for addressing a problem which in fact they perceive in more positive social terms than the Muslims do.


2015 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 124-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iosif-Grigorios Al Mochamant ◽  
Ioannis Fotopoulos ◽  
Lampros Zouloumis

SummaryDental treatment of patients with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) can be complicated because of the presence of behavioural unpredictability. This article reviews the present literature on the issues dealt with children with autistic spectrum disorder from the dental perspective. The prevalence of autism is rising worldwide. Consequently, dentists will find an increasing number of such children in their routine practice, whose treatment will require special considerations in their dental management. Knowledge regarding the oral health status of autistic children is essential for the paediatric dentists. Negative behaviour toward dental treatment was very clear in autistic children. Self-inflicting trauma/habits were observed in autistic children. It was concluded that the autistic children do not have a higher dental caries score compared to that of normal children. Their oral hygiene was fair; however, they exhibited more debris deposits than normal children.


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