Child Psychologists Champion 1,000,000 Year Old Technology

Robot teaches autistic kids to interact

Life-sized Kaspar helps kids learn about emotions, physical contact — without overstimulating

“Children with autism don't react well to people because they don't understand facial expressions," said Ben Robins, a senior research fellow in computer science at the University of Hertfordshire who specializes in working with autistic children.

"Robots are much safer for them because there's less for them to interpret and they are very predictable."

"You can't teach children to speak or play using a robot, but it helps reinforce what we're teaching them already, like how to share and be nice to people," Cannon-Jones said.

Experts not linked to the project said it was a promising idea.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/41967936/ns/health-mental_health/