ROBOTS are stepping out of research labs and into daily care, as new trials show therapy for autism delivered through social robots can match standard treatments while significantly boosting child engagement and expanding access across schools and homes.
Bridging Research and Real-World Therapy for Autism
Social robots have been explored for more than two decades as potential tools in therapy for autism, yet clinical adoption has remained limited due to gaps between experimental success and everyday feasibility. Conventional behavioural interventions rely heavily on trained clinicians and structured clinic environments, which can restrict availability and increase costs. The latest research set out to evaluate whether therapy for autism supported by robots can deliver measurable benefits in both clinical and real-world settings, with a focus on joint attention, imitation, and turn taking. These developmental skills underpin social communication and are widely recognised as core targets in early autism interventions.
Two Randomised Trials Assess Therapy for Autism Delivery
Researchers conducted two randomised clinical trials examining robot-assisted therapy for autism in young children. The first efficacy trial involved 69 participants with a mean age of 4.4 years who received 12 biweekly in-clinic sessions. Outcomes were equivalent to those achieved through conventional therapy, but children demonstrated significantly higher engagement levels. The second effectiveness trial included 63 participants with a mean age of 5.9 years, and tested simplified robotic systems designed for schools and homes. Over the course of five sessions, children achieved equivalent outcomes to standard treatment approaches. Together, the trials demonstrate that therapy for autism delivered by social robots can be clinically comparable to traditional models while using fewer sessions and less complex environments.
Implications for Clinical Practice and Future Care
These findings suggest that robot-assisted therapy for autism could become a viable complement to existing services, particularly in settings where specialist clinicians are scarce. Portable, cost-effective robotic systems may allow early interventions to be delivered more consistently and at lower cost, potentially reducing waiting times and widening access. Future research should focus on long-term developmental outcomes, integration with multidisciplinary care pathways, and training frameworks to support routine clinical adoption.
Reference
David D et al. Efficacy and effectiveness of robot-assisted therapy for autism spectrum disorder: from lab to reality. Science Robotics. 2025;10(109):eadl2266.
