Robots4Autism Initiative in South Carolina – Episode 32

Dr. Curtis Rogers talks to Dr. Lisa Raiford, Elizabeth Moore, and Josh Findlay from the South Carolina State Department of Education’s Office of Special Education Services about the Robots4Autism Initiative and other assistive technology programs in South Carolina schools.

Since 2011, the number of students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in South Carolina has nearly doubled from 4000 to over 8000 students in 2017. Recognizing the need to provide an evidence based curriculum for students with ASD and the need to support educators, the Office of Special Education Services invested in Milo and through the use of federal funds will pilot the humanoid robot and curriculum in 15 districts for a three year period.

Developed by RoboKind, a company based in Dallas, Milo teaches elementary and middle school age students the understanding and meaning of emotions and expressions, and demonstrates appropriate social behavior and responses. Through interactions with Milo, students learn to tune in on emotions, express empathy, act more appropriately in social situations, self-motivate, and generalize in the population.

Links:

• Robots4Autism Program https://robots4autism.com/
• Special Education Services Office https://ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/special-education-services/
• RoboKind http://robokind.com/
• Autism Spectrum Disorder Virtual Library https://ed.sc.gov/districts-schools/special-education-services/additional-information-and-assistance/asd-virtual-library/