Using Lego robots to estimate cognitive ability in children who have severe physical disabilities.

Purpose: To determine whether low-cost robots provide a means by which children with severe disabilities can demonstrate understanding of cognitive concepts.

Method: Ten children, ages 4 to 10, diagnosed with cerebral palsy and related motor conditions, participated. Participants had widely variable motor, cognitive and receptive language skills, but all were non-speaking.

School-based use of a robotic arm system by children with disabilities.

A robotic arm system was developed for use by children who had very severe motor disabilities and varying levels of cognitive and language skills. The children used the robot in a three-task sequence routine to dig objects from a tub of dry macaroni. The robotic system was used in the child's school for 12-15 sessions over a period of four weeks.