OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of an applied behaviour analysis (ABA)-based intervention conducted by a robot compared to an ABA-based intervention conducted by a human trainer in promoting self-initiated questions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Data were collected in a combined crossover multiple baseline design across participants. Six children were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. RESULTS: Results revealed that the number of self-initiated questions for both experimental groups increased between baseline and the first intervention and was maintained during follow-up. The high number of self-initiated questions during follow-up indicates that both groups maintained this skill. CONCLUSIONS: The interventions conducted by a robot and a human trainer were both effective in promoting self-initiated questions in children with ASD. No conclusion with regard to the differential effectiveness of both interventions could be drawn. Implications of the results and directions for future research are discussed.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effectiveness of an applied behaviour analysis (ABA)-based intervention conducted by a robot compared to an ABA-based intervention conducted by a human trainer in promoting self-initiated questions in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: Data were collected in a combined crossover multiple baseline design across participants. Six children were randomly assigned to two experimental groups. RESULTS: Results revealed that the number of self-initiated questions for both experimental groups increased between baseline and the first intervention and was maintained during follow-up. The high number of self-initiated questions during follow-up indicates that both groups maintained this skill. CONCLUSIONS: The interventions conducted by a robot and a human trainer were both effective in promoting self-initiated questions in children with ASD. No conclusion with regard to the differential effectiveness of both interventions could be drawn. Implications of the results and directions for future research are discussed.
Authors: Iris van den Berk-Smeekens; Manon W P de Korte; Jeffrey C Glennon; Wouter G Staal; Jan K Buitelaar; Martine van Dongen-Boomsma; Iris J Oosterling; Jenny C den Boer; Emilia I Barakova; Tino Lourens Journal: Eur Child Adolesc Psychiatry Date: 2021-06-03 Impact factor: 4.785
Authors: Jamila Minga; Davida Fromm; Adam Jacks; Melissa D Stockbridge; Jennifer Nelthropp; Brian MacWhinney Journal: J Speech Lang Hear Res Date: 2022-01-25 Impact factor: 2.674