Tecnologias assistivas: explorando o potencial educativo da tecnologia RFID e robótica como ferramentas de auxílio na comunicação de crianças com autismo

Abstract

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurological condition that can significantly affect communication and social interaction in children. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the number of ASD diagnoses worldwide. It is widely recognized that early intervention is essential to enable positive long-term outcomes. In this context, one of the possible solutions to mitigate the challenges presented by this disorder is the use of Assistive Technology (AT). Thus, this study presents an innovative approach aimed at enhancing communication and learning advancements for children with ASD by integrating playful educational cards equipped with RFID technology and the use of the therapeutic robot Otto. The research was conducted under the “FATA - High Technology Assistive Factory” project and received approval from the Human and Social Sciences Ethics Committee at UFMT, validating collaboration in the project in partnership with stakeholders. The methodology adopted included a qualitative exploratory approach regarding ASD, as well as a literature review of relevant studies on ATs and Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) tools. Furthermore, the study sought to identify and analyze the most suitable types of illustrations to underpin the design and fabrication of the RFID cards. This study also aims to answer research questions such as: “How can educational cards assist in the social development and skills such as vocabulary and social interaction in children with ASD?” and “How can frequency and equalization adjustments be effectively applied in a robot integrated with a speech-generating device to alleviate auditory hypersensitivity in children with ASD?” To evaluate the therapeutic results, the robot Otto, along with the RFID cards, was donated to the Dom Aquino Corrêa Integral Rehabilitation Center (CRIDAC), where a team of five therapists conducted an assessment of the impacts of the incorporated resources and techniques during the treatment of eight children. At the end of the research, interviews were conducted with the families of the participating children to socially validate the results obtained, which indicate that the use of the robot Otto together with the RFID cards had a positive performance. Additionally, the research paves the way for future studies, improvements, and practical applications in this area.