Windsor School Uses Robots To Teach Children With Autism

Oct. 29--WINDSOR -- Ben and Jerry stood atop a table in the center of the room, ready to do their thing.

Several students sat nearby, waiting to see what they would do.

The performers were 24-inch-tall, interactive robots, and their audience consited of three students with autism at the River Street School.

The two robots warmed up the students with some talking and a song and dance routine, including an abbreviated performance of "Thriller" that ends with horror film legend Vincent Price's voiceover.

"That was creepy, robot," said a clapping student named Natalie. "I want to see him do another move. What dance move can you do next?"

School officials were showing the robots, which have been at the school since last summer, and how students at the school respond to them.

Teachers have been using the robots, which are programmed with more than 50 applications, including story-telling, number and spelling exercises, singing and movement, to help 30 to 40 students at the school improve their social, sensory and cognitive skills.

The robots, which were purchased with a $5,000 grant from the Mike Maloney and Pete Landry Memorial Golf Tournament, will also help the students with motor control skills, eye contact and turn-taking.

"These kids have different socializing skills and may not interact with adults, but they take an interest in mechanical objects," said Thomas Parvenski, the school's director.

Parvenski said the students have taken to the robots and that he expects to see progress by the end of the school year.

On Tuesday he pointed out that each of the three students responded to the robots in different ways, none more so than Natalie, who was asked why she liked them.

"Because they tell stories," she said. "They were fun."

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