Stochastic modeling of long-legged ant A. gracilipes locomotion in laboratory experiments.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by persistent deficits in communication, difficulties in social interaction, and restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior. These characteristics can vary in severity and functioning, manifesting from the first years of life. Recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that ASD affects approximately 1 in 36 eight-year-old children in 11 US states, showing a significant increase from previous surveys. This growing prevalence reinforces the need for effective interventions aimed at minimizing communication barriers and promoting the social inclusion of individuals with ASD. Difficulties in social functioning are one of the main defining characteristics of autism. Social perception, one of the fundamental components of social skills, refers to the ability to interpret and assign meaning to social stimuli, such as facial expressions, tone of voice, and behaviors. Individuals with ASD have deficits in social perception, which compromise the development of essential skills for social interaction. Furthermore, there are impairments in cognitive skills and social reciprocity, significantly impacting the quality of life of these individuals. Del Prette and Del Prette define social skills as a set of learned behaviors that enable individuals to interact effectively in social contexts, promoting acceptance and inclusion. Studies indicate that some of the main social skills include smiling and maintaining eye contact, initiating and maintaining interactions, sharing attention, inferring interests, and adopting the perspective of others. Promoting these skills can be facilitated through innovative approaches, such as augmentative and alternative communication (AAC), which aims to expand the communicative possibilities of individuals with expressive difficulties.