Love, Joy, and Autism Robots: A Metareview and Provocatype (2403.05098v1)

Abstract: Previous work has observed how Neurodivergence is often harmfully pathologized in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Human-Robot interaction (HRI) research. We conduct a review of autism robot reviews and find the dominant research direction is Autistic people's second to lowest (24 of 25) research priority: interventions and treatments purporting to 'help' neurodivergent individuals to conform to neurotypical social norms, become better behaved, improve social and emotional skills, and otherwise 'fix' us -- rarely prioritizing the internal experiences that might lead to such differences. Furthermore, a growing body of evidence indicates many of the most popular current approaches risk inflicting lasting trauma and damage on Autistic people. We draw on the principles and findings of the latest Autism research, Feminist HRI, and Robotics to imagine a role reversal, analyze the implications, then conclude with actionable guidance on Autistic-led scientific methods and research directions.

• The paper critiques prevailing interventionist research by revealing a misalignment with autistic community priorities.
• The authors employ a metareview combined with autistic-led insights to challenge technoableism in robotics research.
• They advocate for shifting focus toward autistic strengths and equitable, participant-led methodologies in future studies.

Reevaluating the Course of Autism Robots Research through an Autistic-Led Lens

Introduction

Recent explorations into the intersection of autism and robotics have pushed forward a critical dialogue on how technological interventions are conceived, developed, and deployed. The paper, "Love, Joy, and Autism Robots: A Metareview and Provocatype" by Hundt et al., aims to scrutinize the prevailing trajectory of research dedicated to robotics for autism intervention, reorienting the focus towards priorities and perspectives expressly articulated by the autistic community. The authors, a collective of neurotypical and neurodivergent researchers, leverage a robust metareview alongside contemporary autistic-led research insights to critique and redirect the current paradigms of human-robot interaction (HRI) in the context of autism.

The State of Autism Robot Research

The researchers conduct an insightful metareview parsing significant literature pertaining to robots designed for interaction with autistic individuals. The findings present a striking disconnect between the dominant research impetus—predominantly interventionist, aiming to assimilate autistic behaviors to neurotypical norms—and the articulated priorities of the autistic community. Notably, interventions and treatments, which make up the bulk of existing robotic research efforts, are ranked as one of the lowest priorities by autistic people themselves. This misalignment points to a broader issue of technoableism within the field, where technological solutions are pursued under the guise of empowerment but ultimately reinforce ableist perspectives.

Key Insights from Current Autism Research

Autism research has evolved rapidly, unveiling nuanced understandings of neurodivergence that disrupt traditional deficit-focused narratives. Critical areas highlighted by the authors include:

• Language and Feedback: Emphasizing respectful, non-ableist language and the active incorporation of feedback from autistic individuals.
• Autistic Strengths: The recognition and valorization of unique autistic capabilities.
• Double Empathy Problem: The mutual understanding challenges that arise in cross-neurotype communication.
• Camouflaging and Autism: The detrimental effects of encouraging autistic individuals to mask their neurodivergent traits.

Autistic Priorities and Research Implications

Central to the paper is the assertion that future robotics research in autism must pivot towards priorities defined by the autistic community. Mental health, identification and support post-diagnosis, and the promotion of autistic strengths emerge as top areas of concern. This reorientation demands a radical shift in how research agendas are set and the kinds of technological solutions that are developed and valued.

A Provocation for Reflection and Change

The thought-provoking "provocatype" presented by the authors serves as a mirror, inviting researchers and developers to critically reflect on the implications of their work. This creative exercise underscores the ethical responsibility of researchers to engage deeply with the communities they aim to serve, questioning the foundational assumptions of their interventionist approaches.

Recommendations for Future Research

The paper concludes with practical recommendations aimed at steering the course of autism robotics research towards more beneficial and community-aligned outcomes. These include:

• Embracing frameworks that prioritize autistic individuals' needs and experiences.
• Implementing participant-led, equitable, and agile research methodologies.
• Engaging autistic adults and scholars in all stages of the research process, from conception to evaluation, with appropriate compensation and recognition.
• Focusing on enabling autistic joy and strengths, rather than framing intervention around deficit correction.

Conclusion

"Love, Joy, and Autism Robots: A Metareview and Provocatype" not only casts a critical eye on the current state of robotics research in autism but also lays down a challenge for the HRI community. It urges a collective reevaluation of research priorities, methodologies, and ethical frameworks to ensure that future technological interventions truly serve the needs, desires, and well-being of autistic individuals. In doing so, it advocates for a transformative shift towards a more inclusive, equitable, and empathetically-driven future of robotics research.