Nukka, the robotic seal that helps children with autism
The autism it is a disorder that alters the communication difficulty of people. This condition, which is already quite serious in adults, becomes much more complicated in the youngest of the home. A child with autism presents a great challenge because the poor communicative capacity of a young child is joined by this difficulty in their ability to interact through verbal or non-verbal language.
In recent years, it has been shown that animal therapy has become an efficient method to alleviate symptoms of autism. Horse riding or therapy with dogs are some of the recommended treatments. From the premise of animal therapy, the idea of PARO robot, which will be called Nukka in Spain, and that aims to help in the treatment of autism. But what exactly is Nukka? The answer is simple, it is a nice robotic seal.
The functions of Nukka, the robotic seal for children with autism
The Nukka seal is offered as an aid in the treatment of children with autism and is already present in several care centers in Denmark with the sole mission of giving affection and affection to autistic children. In fact, approximately 80% of the Danish municipalities have already acquired one of these robots to help in the treatment of this disorder.
At first glance, Nukka looks like a simple stuffed animal with mobility. However, the technology of the PARO robot allows it to interact with human beings and even show their feelings.
The American Medicines Agency has recognized the benefits of Nukka in the treatment of people with anxiety, depression and communication disorders such as autism. Shibata also states that its seal shape makes its acceptance easier because while there are people who like dogs or cats more, it is more difficult for someone to refuse the company of this marine animal.
Its price may seem somewhat excessive since acquiring a copy of Nukka costs 6000 euros. However, this robotic animal does not require the same care as a normal animal, so it can be finally amortized and its presence in therapy centers is more bearable because it does not present the physiological needs of a real animal.
Living with a child with autism
Therapies like those offered by the Nukka robot make living with a child with autism more bearable. Children with this disorder can also benefit from early detection. Initiating treatment on time can mean considerable help for people suffering from this communication disorder.
Therefore, we must be aware of the first symptoms of children with autism to be able to go to a professional to determine if there is indeed this disorder and if so, start a treatment. Among the premature symptoms of autism, the following can be highlighted:
- Does not babble any words at one year of age.
- Does not point to any object until 12 months.
- It does not respond to his name.
- Does not pronounce words until 16 months, or phrases of two or more words until approximately two years.
- It does not establish a correct visual contact.
- Excessive order in their toys or other objects.
- Does not smile or show social receptivity.
- Unusual crying.
Once these symptoms are detected, it is recommended to go to a psychologist to determine if there is indeed infantile autism and also to rule out other pathologies such as schizophrenia.
Advice for the treatment of children with autism
If the diagnosis of autism is confirmed in children, it is imperative to start the treatment of this condition. In particular the following methods are highly recommended:
1.- Behavioral therapy: it is about encouraging the desirable behaviors and limiting the undesirable ones through behavioral psychology. Parents and guardians must also attend these therapies to know how to act at home.
2.- Special education program: This treatment seeks to encourage the development of communicative language and interaction with other people. It is important that the centers attended by the child have the appropriate material and qualified personnel to help the child to develop the language and facilitate their social integration.
These treatments do not ensure that in adulthood the child can stand on their own and may even need help. However, research in Medicine and the development of new technologies make future forecasts better. An example of this is Nukka, the robot that is helping people with autism learn to show what they really feel.
Damián Montero
