Exploring Pediatric Volition among Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder in an adapted Robotics Program

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) often have fewer opportunities to participate in play than typically developing children because of their tendencies for repetitive play behaviour and independent play types. The Holland Bloorview (HB) FIRST® (For Inspiration Recognition of Science and Technology) robotics program embeds technology into a playful activity. This study included one main objective and three exploratory objectives. The main objective was: (1) to measure pediatric volition (i.e., score pediatric volition through a validated measure) among children with ASD participating in an adapted robotics program. The exploratory objectives were: (1) to assess off-task behaviours among children with ASD during an adapted robotics program (i.e., counting number of off-task behaviours during the program); (2) to describe volitional behaviour among children with ASD in an adapted robotics program; and (3) to describe off-task behaviour among children with ASD during an adapted robotics program. This study used a mixed-method design with a pediatric volitional questionnaire, video recordings, and structured observations of 6 consecutive workshops (2 hours each). Analysis of data from the Pediatric Volitional Questionnaire indicated that pediatric volition showed no statistically significant change in the total median score from the beginning to the end of the robotics program. However, observations of children highlighted patterns of showing interest and enjoyment while participating in the robotics program. In addition, the total number of off-task behaviours had a statistically significant decrease from the beginning to the end of the adapted robotics program. Although children demonstrated off-task behaviour, these behaviours were observed less frequently at the end of the program. The findings highlight that participating in a robotics program provides the potential to observe children’s volitional behaviours, and also may reduce their off-task behaviour.M.Sc