At the Haub Innovation Center of Saint Joseph’s University, a striking 4-foot-tall robot figure commands attention.
With its white material resembling an Oscar statue and its lifelike features, the robot, known as Pepper, stands ready to interact with everyone around.
Christina, a woman in her 60s who is autistic, approaches the robot with open arms.
“Hi Pepper. Remember me?” she greets, showcasing the strong connection that has formed during previous interactions.
Pepper, an artificially intelligent social robot, has been specifically designed by researchers at Saint Joseph’s to provide companionship and cognitive stimulation for aging adults with autism, a group that often faces unique challenges as they grow older.
Under Pepper’s guidance, residents participated in a variety of engaging activities, including games like “Name That Song” and “Name That Sound.”
Soon, the room exploded with energy as an impromptu dance party erupted to “Mr. Sandman.”
This innovative technology is part of a long-term pilot project conducted by Saint Joseph’s University in collaboration with Bancroft.
The initiative aims to explore how AI robots like Pepper can assist aging adults with autism, who often require more cognitive engagement and attention as they enter later stages of life.
Experts are also using this opportunity to dive deeper into the health and cognitive changes experienced by these individuals, addressing a critical research gap.
Karen Lindgren, Bancroft’s chief clinical officer, poses an essential question: “What does healthy aging look like for this group?”
Recognizing that cognitively, individuals with autism spectrum disorder can present distinct differences, she stresses the importance of supporting their unique social connections as they age.
People with autism spectrum disorder may experience difficulties with social interactions, communication, and exhibit repetitive behaviors or hypersensitivities to their surroundings.
While many individuals on the spectrum can live independently and lead fulfilling lives, others with more severe forms of autism may require daily assistance or round-the-clock care.
This need becomes especially critical as aging adults may require new long-term care options when their lifelong caregivers become elderly.
Victoria Sweeney, senior director of adult residential services at Bancroft, highlights the looming challenge: “As people out there are aging who have intellectual disabilities and they’ve lived at home all those years… the fear is there aren’t many options for them.”
The Flicker residences, where some of these individuals reside, are staffed not only by senior care providers but also by specialists capable of addressing the complex needs of patients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Lindgren notes that while some residents do not communicate verbally and instead use gestures or alternative communication methods, traditional testing often requires verbal skills.
This creates challenges in identifying cognitive changes and early signs of dementia, particularly for individuals with profound autism and other developmental disabilities.
Giacomo Vivanti, an associate professor at the A.J. Drexel Autism Institute, points out that this territory remains largely unexplored.
For instance, it is established that individuals with Down syndrome have a higher risk for dementia, which allows for proactive healthcare planning.
In contrast, there is no existing information about dementia risk in someone on the autism spectrum, leaving families and care providers without clarity on what to expect.
The incorporation of advanced technologies, notably AI robots like Pepper, may bridge this knowledge gap.
Diana Robins, director of the program, explains that robots can monitor behaviors and emotional changes in residents over time, providing valuable insights.
“Let’s say we’re seeing increased agitation or a decrease in daily skills that someone used to perform independently,” she says.
Being able to track these behavioral changes is crucial for understanding emotional and cognitive health in this population.
The pilot project between Saint Joseph’s University and Bancroft began in 2023, driven by the vision of enhancing interaction through technology.
Marcello Balduccini, director of the Haub Innovation Center, along with psychology professor Sara Girotto, programmed Pepper with engaging activities tailored for adults, prioritizing fun and cognitive involvement.
One unique task asks the residents to plan a pretend trip to Dunkin’ Donuts.
Pepper prompts, “What do you do first: pay for your order or decide what to eat and drink?”
This activity encourages participation and requires residents to physically move to answer questions on a smart tablet attached to Pepper.
Linda Miller, Bancroft’s Therapeutic Activities Coordinator, observes that the robot’s activities encourage more movement from residents than typical routines would allow.
“It’s engaging,” she notes. “It’s also distracting. For example, if they have pain, they might not be focused on that when dancing or playing games with Pepper.”
Looking ahead, Balduccini expresses hope for enhancing Pepper’s programming capabilities, including advanced facial and speech recognition features.
However, he emphasizes the importance of ensuring the interactive sessions remain enjoyable and relevant for the participants.
Based on initial findings, one of the most significant benefits has been the profound companionship Pepper offers to residents.
Lindgren remarks on the unexpected joy witnessed in interactions, noting that emotions often translate into positive experiences.
Ultimately, she envisions Pepper as a complementary support to human caregivers rather than a replacement.
As this innovative approach gains traction, Bancroft and its residents in New Jersey are poised to receive their own AI robot, further enhancing interactions as they continue to age and live with autism.
image source from：https://whyy.org/articles/artificial-intelligence-robots-aging-autism/
