Enhancing Learning and Therapy for Children with Autism: Innovative Activities with the NAO Robot

Worldwide, autism affects 1 in 100 children, with diagnoses steadily rising since the 2000s. Romania lacks official statistics on autism prevalence, but global estimates suggest similarity. Children with autism struggle with social interactions and verbal communication, prompting interest in social robots for therapy and education. Tailored robot-assisted sessions offer potential for cognitive development, vocabulary enhancement, social interaction, and behavioral stimulation like concentration and attention. The NAO robot's user-friendly design, technical capabilities, and integrated features make it well-suited for these purposes. This paper presents activities that exemplify the concept of “learning through play,” allowing children to engage in exploration, experimentation, and effective learning in an enjoyable manner.