Potential Development School for Students with Autism recently added some new members of the team to staff and students – Milo, Veda, Jemi and Carver.
The additions – state of the art, facially-expressive, assistive robots – are designed to support educators as they guide students with autism toward social-emotional mastery.
Six robots (two Milos, two Vedas, a Jemi and a Carver) will work with students in preschool through the sixth grade. Two of the six robots have non-white features, to reflect the diversity of the student population. More than 135 students will benefit from working with the robots.
The robots are capable of replicating most human facial expressions and speak, interact and move with students. Robots are equipped with educational modules that focus on core sets of social skills.
Each robot is designed with an embedded chest plate that displays vocabulary words and visual icons, beneficial for both verbal and non-verbal students. As students’ progress through the activities, they build on previous lessons, reinforce target behaviors and master social situations.
Modules cover how to calm down, hold a conversation, express emotions and manage specific situations.
Potential Development said Milo and his friends are advantageous in both classroom and therapy settings, and are effective tools in improving outcomes in social emotional learning, speech and occupational therapies and behavior.
The purchases were made possible through donations from The Ward Beecher Foundation, The Florence Simon Beecher Foundation, The Walter E. & Caroline Watson Foundation, Simon Roofing, Panera Bread, The Cafaro Foundation and PGA golfer Jason Kokrak, who specified that a portion of his tournament winnings (via PGA, Inc.) go toward the project.
About Potential Development – Potential Development School for Students with Autism has been serving the Mahoning Valley for over 68 years. Potential Development provides students diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder a preschool through high school education, as well as therapeutic services. Its mission is to provide a safe, structured educational environment with supportive services that give students the necessary skills and independence to lead a productive life. For more information about programs and services, visit www.potentialdevelopment.org….
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