[Therapeutic use of robotics in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder].

Researchers tested robot therapy with 4 children with autism aged 9-13. The children attended 10 therapy sessions working in pairs with robots. Results showed the children really enjoyed the sessions and attended regularly. Parents were satisfied with the program. The children showed improvements in social skills and behavior. Video recordings showed the children interacted more socially after the robot therapy sessions.

This quasi-experimental study examined Robot-Assisted Therapy (RAT) in four Chilean children with ASD aged 9-13 years with normal IQ. Participants attended 10 structured therapy sessions working in pairs. The study evaluated workshop attendance, parent/child satisfaction, adaptive behavior using the Vineland scale, and social interaction through video coding. Results showed high adherence and satisfaction with the intervention.

Improvements were observed in socialization behaviors, social age, and social interaction behaviors. Video analysis revealed increased social interaction and behavioral improvements following the workshops. This represents the first documented experience of RAT in Chile's public health system.

Robot-assisted therapy shows promise as an engaging intervention for children with ASD in public health settings. The high acceptance rates and observed improvements in social behaviors warrant further investigation with larger, controlled studies to establish efficacy and optimal implementation protocols.

Very small sample size (n=4) limits generalizability. Quasi-experimental design without control group reduces confidence in attributing improvements to the intervention. Short intervention period (10 sessions) provides limited information about sustained benefits.

Robot-assisted Therapy (RAT) can improve the behavior of children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in a spontaneous and entertaining way. There are no previous experiences of this type of inter vention in our country. To describe a clinical experience of using RAT and its impact on the behaviors of a group of children with ASD, in a therapeutic context. Quasi experimental clinical experience type study. 4 children with a clinical diagnosis of ASD were selected, supported by the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule); aged between 9 and 13 years, and normal IQ according to the WISC-III (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children).

This study was approved by the Central Metropolitan Ethics Committee. Patients attended 10 structured robot-as sisted therapy sessions, working collaboratively in pairs. Workshop attendance and parent and child satisfaction were evaluated through surveys, the adaptive behavior with the Vineland scale, and so cial interaction with video coding guidelines. Patients presented a very good adherence and satisfaction with the activity.

There was an improvement in socialization behaviors and social age. Video-coding showed an increase in social interaction and improvement in the behavior of the pa tients after attending workshops. We observed that the experience with RAT, adapted to the context of a Chilean public health center, was highly attractive and beneficial for patients with ASD, improving core symptoms such as difficulties in social interaction and behavioral problems.