174 research outputs found
Dogs trigger attention during Animal Assisted Intervention in prison: A preliminary study
Animalâassisted interventions (AAI) seem to offer promising possibilities to prevent daily conditions of inmates (overcrowding or social isolation); however, nothing is known either about the potential processes involved or impact AAI on the development of interactions between inmates. We hypothesized that either dogs would be a source and the centre of attention, thereby that dog may induce more dogâinmate interactions, or dogs would be social catalyst, i.e. facilitator of social interactions between humans. For that, we analysed first oneâhour AAI sessions involving 10 adult male inmates, 7 service dogs and one dog handler. An observer recorded, using ethological methods, spatial distances between dogs and inmates and between humans, direction of inmatesâ gazes and their vocal behaviour. Hypothesis that dogs could be social catalyst was not supported: each inmate interacted mainly with his own dog. Own dog was the almost only exclusive partner with whom they communicated: target of their visual gazes, vocal production and physical contact. Based on literature and this preliminary research, we suggested that the animal/human ratio could be a crucial factor influencing the quality and quantity of AAI interactions
Are robots our future coaches?
International audienceThe robots are coming in our daily lives: companion robots, service robots, sociable robots, assistant robots, and so on. It is difficult to imagine their real roles in the future because humans' expectations seem unclear, probably because robots are new and little known. It is thus important to put human beings in relation with robots to understand what they want. This paper describes an experimentation which explored the added value of a robot in a memory game with 67 persons comparing three conditions: computer game, robot game, or computer and robot game. Results showed that robot increased their performance perception and seemed to give them assurance. Results showed that the robot could be a natural coach for people
StimCards: interactive and configurable Question and Answer game - Users study conclusion
International audienceThis paper highlights conclusions about six experiments conducted with StimCards, an interactive and configurable Question and Answer game. It has been created in the context of the Robadom project whose goal is to propose a homecare robot for seniors. In this project, StimCards is applied to cognitive stimulation. This game is special because users can create their own questions and their own game scripts, and decide which digital devices will be used to interact with. Two experiments have been realized to evaluate the possibility for users to create game scripts. Two other experiments compared children and seniors. They evaluated StimCards acceptability and the preferred users' computing interlocutor. Results showed that it is so easy to create game scripts that children can do it. Both children and seniors liked StimCards, and children preferred to interact with a robot, rather than a computer or a virtual character
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A Randomised Controlled Trial of Bumetanide in the Treatment of Autism in Children
Gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA)-mediated synapses and the oscillations they orchestrate are altered in autism. GABA-acting benzodiazepines exert in some patients with autism paradoxical effects, raising the possibility that like in epilepsies, GABA excites neurons because of elevated intracellular concentrations of chloride. Following a successful pilot study, we have now performed a double-blind clinical trial using the diuretic, chloride-importer antagonist bumetanide that reduces intracellular chloride reinforcing GABAergic inhibition. Sixty children with autism or Asperger syndrome (3â11 years old) received for 3 months placebo or bumetanide (1 mg daily), followed by 1-month wash out. Determination of the severity of autism was made with video films at day 0 (D0) and D90 by blind, independent evaluators. Bumetanide reduced significantly the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) (D90âD0; P<0.004 treated vs placebo), Clinical Global Impressions (P<0.017 treated vs placebo) and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule values when the most severe cases (CARS values above the mean±s.d.; n=9) were removed (Wilcoxon test: P-value=0.031; Student's t-test: P-value=0.017). Side effects were restricted to an occasional mild hypokalaemia that was treated with supplemental potassium. In a companion study, chronic bumetanide treatment significantly improved accuracy in facial emotional labelling, and increased brain activation in areas involved in social and emotional perception (Hadjikhani et al., submitted). Therefore, bumetanide is a promising novel therapeutic agent to treat autism. Larger trials are warranted to better determine the population best suited for this treatment
Modélisation interdisciplinaire de l'intercompréhension dans les interactions
National audienceNé en 2010, le projet MIAC - Modélisation interdisciplinaire de l'acceptabilité et de l'intercompréhension dans les interactions - s'est fixé le but de mieux comprendre l'intercompréhension dans les interactions d'un point de vue transversal aux hommes, aux animaux et aux machines. Nous proposons ici une modélisation interdisciplinaire de l'intercompréhension dans les interactions, dont nous faisons l'hypothÚse qu'elle pourrait fonctionner quels que soit les partenaires impliqués. Pour cela, nous nous sommes basés sur la définition de modÚle proposée par Mortensen (1972)
Environmental Factors Influence Language Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
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Atypical Color Preference in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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ăŻé»èČăèŠæăăăźăăăç·èČăć„œă : çșééćźłă«ăăçčç°ăȘèČćœ©æèŠ. äșŹéœć€§ćŠăăŹăčăȘăȘăŒăč. 2016-12-26.So far, virtually no study has ever investigated colour preference in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In order to address this issue, 29 boys with ASD varying in age between 4 and 17 years, and 38 age-matched typically-developing (TD) boys were studied regarding their preference among six colours: red, pink, yellow, brown, green, and blue. When mean rank of preference was computed in each of the ASD and TD groups with regard to each colour, it was found that ASD boys were significantly less likely than TD boys to prefer yellow and more likely than TD boys to prefer green and brown colours. These results appear to be caused by hyper-sensation characterisic of ASD, by which boys with this disorder perceive yellow as being sensory-overloading
Communication Between Humans: Towards an Interdisciplinary Model of Intercomprehension
International audienceCommunication, to communicate⊠These are words daily used in common speech (e.g. media, science, business, advertising and so on). Although these words are familiar, the correct definition of communication remains complex. Here, our aim is to gather knowledge from different scientific disciplines to better understand what communication is. After some theoretical models of communication, we detailed what are verbal and nonverbal communications, how researchers try to classify them and which factors could influence them. We proposed, at last, an interdisciplinary model of intercomprehension between individuals that could be used to improve communication with robots
Lâanimal, compagnon des enfants avec trouble du spectre autistique : bĂ©nĂ©fices et mĂ©canismes sous-jacents
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Les interventions assistées par l'animal. Quelles connaissances ?
National audienceAprÚs un court historique et une précision de la notion d'intervention assistée par l'animal, un point est fait sur les connaissances scientifiques actuelles. Ces rappels illustrent l'hétérogénéité des études ainsi que les biais couramment observés. En s'appuyant sur plusieurs recherches, nous montrerons ensuite que l'animal peut avoir un impact multiple sur l'homme. Un accent particulier est enfin donné aux études portant sur les enfants avec autisme et les animaux de compagnie
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