A hybrid approach based on multi-sensory stimulation rooms, robotic assistants and ontologies to provide support in the intervention of children with autism

Abstract

Recent studies and estimates provided by several agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) claim that the number of cases of children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) has increased in last years. In general, the affective environment of a patient with ASD is affected due to several factors related with patient’s behavior and his/her affective relation with their parents and relatives. Hence, in this paper we present a comprehensive approach to support the psychological and therapeutic intervention on children with ASD. Our proposal relies on integrative ecosystem that combines knowledge modeling tools (ontologies) with intelligent ICT tools (robotic assistants, multisensory stimulation rooms). With this hybrid approach, it is possible providing an effective intervention process not only for patients with ASD, but also parents and relatives of those patients. This proposal has tested in two stages, a first one with 47 children without autism, and a second with the support of 36 children with ASD and 5 specialists of CIMA Foundation. The results show high levels of acceptance in both children and specialists.