Matching Robot KASPAR to Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Therapy and Educational Goals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify the potential contribution of therapy robot KASPAR to the therapy and/or educational goals for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) according to professionals and practitioners in the field. An online questionnaire and focus groups were applied to elicit the expectations of a group of 54 multidisciplinary ASD practitioners about therapy and/or educational goals KASPAR can contribute to. Findings indicate that professionals expect KASPAR to be of added value to ASD objectives in domains such as ‘communication’, ‘social/interpersonal interaction and relations’, and ‘play’, but also in objectives related to ‘emotional wellbeing’ and ‘preschool skills’. A top 10 is created of professionals’ expectations of potential added value for robot KASPAR for working on therapy and educational goals for children with ASD. Professionals are convinced that KASPAR can be useful in interventions for a broad range of therapy and education goals for children with autism spectrum disorder.