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Robots Teach Autistic Kids Social Skills

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the bender-not-a-great-model dept.

posys writes "Wired Magazine has an article showing how the eternal patience of robots lends itself well to teaching new social skills to autistic children. 'The researchers hope that the end result is a human-like robot that can act as a "social mediator" for autistic children, a steppingstone to improved social interaction with other children and adults. "KASPAR provides autistic children with reliability and predictability. Since there are no surprises, they feel safe and secure," Robins said, adding that the purpose is not to replace human interaction and contact but to enhance it. Robins has already tested some imitation and turn-taking games with the children and his preliminary findings are positive.'"

17 of 171 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Sex-bot? by eln · · Score: 4, Funny

    For some reason, I don't think it would be any easier hearing "It's okay, it happens to lots of guys" from a robot.

  2. it's been done before by pedramnavid · · Score: 2, Funny

    I learned all my social skills from the internet and look at me now. Who says autistic children can't do the same with robots?

  3. Not just for Autistic Kids.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny



    It worked for Al Gore too!

    (P.S. - I personally like and would vote for Gore, but everyone is always saying that he's as stiff as a robot).

  4. Next: Teaching Social Skills to Slashdot Reader by Cr0w+T.+Trollbot · · Score: 5, Funny
    Slashdoter: "No one expects the Spanish Inquisition!"

    Robot: "Women are not impressed by your vast array of Monty Python Quotes."

    Slashdoter: "I'll bite your kneecaps off!"

    Robot: "Women are not impressed by your vast array of Monty Python Quotes."

    Slashdotter: "It's merely resting, pining for the fjords."

    Robot: "Women are not impressed by your vast array of Monty Python Quotes."

    Next week: Watch the Robot attempt to disuade the Slashdotter from using an "In Soviet Russia" joke.

    Slashdoter: "In Soviet Russia, robot programs you!"

    Robot: "I'm just not getting through to you, am I?"

    Crow T. Trollbot

    1. Re:Next: Teaching Social Skills to Slashdot Reader by morgan_greywolf · · Score: 4, Funny

      Slashdoter: "In Soviet Russia, robot programs you!"

      Robot: "I'm just not getting through to you, am I?"


      Slashdotter: "In Soviet Russia, robots get through to you!

      Robot: "ARGGGGGHHHH!!!!!!" *explodes*

      Slashdotter: "In Soviet Russia, robots explode YOU!" *explodes*
      --
      My blog
    2. Re:Next: Teaching Social Skills to Slashdot Reader by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 1, Funny

      That's an interesting idea. However, I do have some issues with this:

      0) We'll have arguments about the robot's form. Lucy Liu-bot, Natalie Portman, Bender, Marvin, or CowboyNeal?

      1) It better damn well run Linux...but there won't be consensus as to which distro it should run. I'm hoping it will be Ubuntu Rusty Robot.

      2) ???

      3) We will need to make sure that in Soviet Russia, Robots teach you!

      4) They'll announce the $100 one-robot-per-child project and we'll make fun of its Fisher-Price look.

      5) We will wait for a $100 price drop before we consider purchasing one.

      6) MS will say that the robot's Throw_Chair() method violates patented code in gorilla.bas

      7) It will be featured on Slashdot ONLY if it can use an iphone

  5. Re:Waste of effort by megaditto · · Score: 2, Funny

    Sitting at home? Well, perhaps we better build some summer camps where the little autistic tykes learn some life skills such as paying attention, social interaction, and concentration, eh?

    *ducks*

    --
    Obama likes poor people so much, he wants to make more of them.
  6. welcome by ArCh3r · · Score: 3, Funny

    I for one warmly welcome our new teaching robots overlords and their socially adept autistic minions.

  7. Re:Ummm by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 5, Funny

    It just means we'll have a bunch of slightly-more-social-than-usual autistic kids who speak with a robotic voice.
    Who offer to let you bite their shiny metal ass.
    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
  8. Huh? by Das+Auge · · Score: 5, Funny

    That's even worse than having a eunuch teach me about sex.

  9. Re:Ummm by moosesocks · · Score: 4, Funny

    As long as it isn't the Speak 'N Spell voice.....

    --
    -- If you try to fail and succeed, which have you done? - Uli's moose
  10. Re:Sex-bot? by Tatisimo · · Score: 2, Funny

    He's looking for a person just for him, you insensitive clod!

    --
    Give Kashyyyk back to the Wookies
  11. Re:Ummm by elrous0 · · Score: 1, Funny

    No, I thought the exact same thing when I read the headline. Using emotionless, socially unconscious machines to "teach" autistic kids is absolutely bizarre--if not downright cruel. It's like a WoW player asking his guildmates for advice on picking up a girl.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  12. If the Robot's running Windows by DangerJones · · Score: 2, Funny

    "How do we say thank you to the nice man, little Timmy?"

    "ST- ST- STOP 0X0000000A W- W- WINDOWS H- H- HAS..."

  13. Re:Waste of effort by cthulu_mt · · Score: 2, Funny

    You're not retarded. You're just English.

    --
    Virginia is for lovers. EVE is for griefers.
  14. Re:Waste of effort by hack++slash · · Score: 2, Funny

    How dare you call me English! I'm Welsh, thank you very much.

    :)

    --
    To do something right, you often have to roll up your sleeves and get busy.
  15. Robot's opening line... by lys1123 · · Score: 2, Funny

    <80's Computer Voice>
    "Would you like to play a game?"
    </80's Computer Voice>