Simulating Social Cognition: A Humanoid-Based Approach to Improve Theory of Mind Skills in Autism

Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) often involve challenges in social communication, and various therapies are used to address these. This randomized, two-period crossover trial assessed the effectiveness of integrating Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) with robot-assisted therapy to improve Theory of Mind (ToM) skills in children with ASD. Thirty-two children (mean age 7.53 ± 1.32 years, 7 females) participated. Group 1 received robot-assisted therapy first, followed by traditional therapy, while Group 2 had the reverse order. ToM skills were evaluated at three points: baseline (T0), after the first period (T1), and after the second (T2). Evaluators were blinded to the treatment conditions. Significant improvements in ToM were observed with robot-assisted therapy compared to traditional methods. A control group confirmed the robot's superiority over human actors in role-playing scenarios. No participants discontinued the study, highlighting the potential of integrating technology into ASD therapy.