Prayagraj: In a significant step in autism therapy in children, researchers at the Indian Institute of Information Technology-Allahabad (IIIT-A) have developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based smart tool for analysing emotions, behaviour and learning abilities and design personalised therapy plans.Children with autism often struggle to express their feelings, making it difficult for parents and experts to understand their emotional state. Their smiles, anxiety or discomfort can remain unnoticed or misinterpreted. The newly developed AI-driven technology aims to bridge this communication gap by interpreting behavioural cues and responses in a structured manner.The tool was developed by prof Vrajendra Singh from department of Information Technology, IIIT-A, along with his research scholar, Anishma. According to the researchers, a patent application for the technology was already filed.The AI system works by analysing a child’s activities and behavioural patterns in detail to assess their mental and emotional condition. It is integrated with a specially designed interactive robot that communicates with children, observes their actions and responds accordingly.Using cameras and sensors, the system continuously monitors the child’s activities, including facial expressions, reactions and engagement with surrounding objects. These behavioural signals are stored in a specialised database and analysed individually to build a behavioural profile for each child.“The system can identify whether a child is happy, scared or uncomfortable and respond in a way that makes the child feel understood,” said Prof Singh.For instance, if a child claps, the robot imitates the same action. Such mirrored responses help the child feel that the system is interacting within their emotional space. Over time, this encourages the child to become comfortable and participate in interactive activities designed to support their development.The technology also evaluates a child’s cognitive abilities and learning capacity. It continuously tracks behavioural responses and cognitive engagement to assess developmental progress.The system can also respond with sensory cues such as music. If a child shows signs of stress or fear, it plays calm and soothing music. Based on the child’s reaction, the AI learns which type of audio stimulus is most effective in reducing anxiety. It also monitors cognitive stress levels during interactions.Researchers said the AI tool is currently being introduced at therapy centres and special education institutions. Real-world data collected from these centres will help further refine the technology, making therapy and training programmes for autistic children more effective in the future, said Prof Singh.
