Virtual Agent Tutors in Sheltered Workshops: A Feasibility Study on Attention Training for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities

2025-04-08

AI Summary

This study investigates the feasibility of deploying socially assistive virtual agents (SAVAs), built upon the RoboCamp framework, for attention training among individuals with intellectual disabilities in sheltered workshops. Addressing real-world occupational demands, the team collaborated with frontline staff to adapt the system and optimize human-agent interaction, integrating usability evaluation, standardized attention task paradigms, and on-site technical reliability monitoring. As the first implementation of an SAVA-based cognitive training system in sheltered workshop settings, it demonstrates robust technical stability and high user acceptability. Quantitative analysis reveals the temporal decay pattern of the novelty effect. Empirical results confirm the system’s significant potential for enhancing sustained and selective attention. The study establishes a replicable methodological framework—spanning co-design, ecological validation, and multimodal assessment—and provides empirical evidence supporting context-sensitive digital interventions for individuals with intellectual disabilities.

Technology Category

• Intelligent Robots: Human-Robot Interaction
• Cognitive Modeling & Cognitive Systems: Social Cognition And Interaction
• Humans and AI: Game Design — Virtual Humans, NPCs and Autonomous Characters

Application Category

• Responsible Web: Machine-in-the-loop, human agency and autonomy
• Economics, Online Markets and Human Computation: LLM based quality controls for crowd work
• Semantics and Knowledge: Data modeling to support human-machine intelligence, including LLMs agents, intelligent system behavior, explanations, and user-friendly interactions

Abstract

In this work, we evaluate the feasibility of socially assistive virtual agent-based cognitive training for people with intellectual disabilities (ID) in a sheltered workshop. The Robo- Camp system, originally developed for children with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), is adapted based on the results of a pilot study in which we identified barriers and collected feedback from workshop staff. In a subsequent study, we investigate the aspects of usability, technical reliability, attention training capabilities and novelty effect in the feasibility of integrating the RoboCamp system.

Problem

• Feasibility of virtual agent tutors for intellectual disabilities
• Adapting ADHD attention training system for sheltered workshops
• Evaluating usability and effectiveness of RoboCamp system

Innovation

• Virtual agent tutors for cognitive training
• Adapted RoboCamp system for disabilities
• Evaluated usability and technical reliability