Dogs trigger attention during Animal Assisted Intervention in prison: A preliminary study

Animal‑assisted 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 dog‑inmate interactions, or dogs would be social catalyst, i.e. facilitator of social interactions between humans. For that, we analysed first one‑hour 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 inmates’ 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

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 (3–11 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) (D90−D0; 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 $(3.0–3.5 mM l^{−1} K^{+})$ 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'hypothèse qu'elle pourrait fonctionner quels que soit les partenaires impliqués. Pour cela, nous nous sommes basés sur la définition de modèle proposée par Mortensen (1972)

Environmental Factors Influence Language Development in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

International audienc

Atypical Color Preference in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

自閉症児は黄色が苦手、そのかわり緑色を好む : 発達障害による特異な色彩感覚. 京都大学プレスリリース. 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

L’animal, compagnon des enfants avec trouble du spectre autistique : bénéfices et mécanismes sous-jacents

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Animal-Assisted Interventions for Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Survey of French Facilities

Our survey of animal-assisted interventions (AAI) offered by French intervention facilities aimed to examine and describe the range of AAI for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) children. We invited 2,302 facilities to reply to an online questionnaire. The responses to our survey (n = 386) revealed that animals were used extensively as a complementary intervention. Most AAI sessions were in groups. Various animal species (especially horses and dogs) and facility staff members as well as external collaborators were involved. Numerous benefits (e.g., enhanced well-being, self-esteem, and socialization) were reported. Facilities face difficulties in connection with AAI including finances, staffing, and scheduling constraints. However, these problems do not affect staffs’ motivation. This is the first large-scale survey giving a qualitative and quantitative picture of AAI practices in an entire country