Robots for Autism Therapy

Abstract

A growing body of work on robot-mediated therapy suggests that robots can elicit engagement and novel social behaviors among users with autism. In this narrative review, we trace the full historical arc of this field to date, from its inception in 2001 to 2024, covering 304 studies that present a robot for autism support. Early work largely consisted of short, highly structured sessions conducted in controlled laboratory or clinical environments. More recent research has shifted toward longer-term, real-world deployments in which robots operate with greater autonomy and engage users over multiple days or weeks. However, evidence for lasting and generalized benefits is still limited. The literature also remains focused primarily on children, with comparatively little research involving adults or individuals across a wider range of support needs. Despite rapid growth over these past two decades, the research remains fragmented across disciplinary boundaries, with robotics and clinical communities advancing similar goals without a cohesive, shared research framework. To address this, we offer a translational roadmap that details what interventions work, for whom, under which conditions, and why. We highlight current methodological gaps, outline key design considerations, and propose priorities for future research.