Integration of robotics into special education is a revolutionary opportunity to meet various needs of learners with disabilities. Robotics of various types can provide the interactive, adjustable, and entertaining tools for the development of skills concerning cognitive, social, emotional and physical aspects of a person’s self. Here we address the role of robotics to improve learning experience for students with special educational needs as well as address inclusive education. NAO, Kaspar and QT Robot, are examples of social robots, which demonstrated promising results in teaching children with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) to improve the ability to communicate socially, which includes eye contact, turn-taking, and recognition of emotions. These robots offer regular, calm, and non-judgmental interactions in a controlled space which alleviates anxiety and sensory over-stimulation. For students with speech and language problems, robots that is able to recognize speech, i.e. “listen” and synthesize that speech, i.e. ‘speak’, provide immediate feedback and a safe environment to practice language without worrying about making mistakes.

Programmable kits, which include the LEGO Mind storms, Bee-Bot and Topobo, demonstrate problem solving, sequencing and logical thinking and stimulate the brain development in a simpler, tactile way. Also, assistive robotic devices improve mobility and independence for students with physical disability and helps providing physical therapy and daily movements. Detection of emotional recognition components in certain robots allows them to carry out interaction with children’s emotions, provide companionship and regulate negative emotions - critical for students with behavioral or emotional issues. Robotics can be adapted to follow each child’s individual learning profiles, and AI changing content and pace to every student according to his or her abilities and requirements. This personalized learning strategy encourages academic advancement and encourages higher engagement. In addition, child early learning environments have utilized robotics to enable the identification of undetected learning problems whose intervention may begin early. Spite of its potential, there exist challenges in large scale implementation of the robotics in special education like high cost, inadequate teacher training and ethical issues. However, studies demonstrate that robot interventions can increase social, cognitive, and functional powers of students by several orders of magnitude. Finally, robotics has great promise in transforming special education by eliminating barriers to learning and creating individualized, inclusive, empowering learning experiences. Technology is likely to further develop and so incisive integration and evidence-based practices will become vital in maximizing the benefits of technology for learners with special needs..