1
|
McKee K, Rothschild D, Young SR, Uttal DH. Looking Ahead: Advancing Measurement and Analysis of the Block Design Test Using Technology and Artificial Intelligence. J Intell 2024; 12:53. [PMID: 38921688 PMCID: PMC11204419 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence12060053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024] Open
Abstract
The block design test (BDT) has been used for over a century in research and clinical contexts as a measure of spatial cognition, both as a singular ability and as part of more comprehensive intelligence assessment. Traditionally, the BDT has been scored using methods that do not reflect the full potential of individual differences that could be measured by the test. Recent advancements in technology, including eye-tracking, embedded sensor systems, and artificial intelligence, have provided new opportunities to measure and analyze data from the BDT. In this methodological review, we outline the information that BDT can assess, review several recent advancements in measurement and analytic methods, discuss potential future uses of these methods, and advocate for further research using these methods.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Kiley McKee
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | | | - Stephanie Ruth Young
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA
| | - David H. Uttal
- Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Sugiyama M, Fujii S, Mori M. Relationship between autistic traits and letter-recognition under attention to face-likeness: study using a henohenomoheji-type compound stimulus. Sci Rep 2023; 13:19031. [PMID: 37923894 PMCID: PMC10624886 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-46315-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to clarify the relationship between autistic traits and letter information processing, specifically, the components of faces when attention is paid to face-like information. We created a new "henohenomoheji-type compound stimulus," in which letters are placed in positions in such a way as to resemble a face. In Experiment 1, we examined the relationship between autistic traits and the participants' performance in a letter-recognition task in which a henohenomoheji-type compound stimulus was used. The results showed a significant moderate negative correlation between Autism-Spectrum Quotient-Japanese Version (AQ-J) scores and letter-recognition sensitivity when the compound stimuli were arranged like a face. The letter-detection task was employed in Experiment 2 to examine how autistic traits affect tasks' performance with a lower cognitive load than in Experiment 1. We found no correlation between AQ-J scores and letter-detection sensitivity with or without face-like features. These results suggest that paying attention to faces reduces the participants' performance in letter recognition, which represents a higher cognitive load in individuals with higher autistic traits. A major implication of this study is that the henohenomoheji-type compound stimuli can be applied to several cognitive tasks, such as cognitive processing in individuals with autistic traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Midori Sugiyama
- Faculty of Policy Management, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0882, Japan.
| | - Shinya Fujii
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0882, Japan
| | - Masaki Mori
- Faculty of Environment and Information Studies, Keio University, 5322 Endo, Fujisawa, Kanagawa, 252-0882, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Nicholls LAB, Stewart ME. Autistic traits are associated with enhanced working memory capacity for abstract visual stimuli. Acta Psychol (Amst) 2023; 236:103905. [PMID: 37086664 DOI: 10.1016/j.actpsy.2023.103905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/24/2023] Open
Abstract
We tested whether the association between autistic traits and enhanced performance in visual-perceptual tasks extends to visual working memory capacity. We predicted that any positive effect of autistic traits on visual working memory performance would be greatest during domain-specific tasks, in which visual resources must be relied upon. We used a visual 'matrix' task, involving recall of black-and-white chequered patterns which increased in size, to establish participants' capacity (span). We assessed 144 young adults' (M = 22.0 years, SD = 2.5) performance on abstract, 'low semantic' versus 'high semantic' task versions. The latter offered multimodal coding due to the availability of long-term memory resources that could supplement visual working memory. Participants also completed measures of autistic traits and trait anxiety. Autistic traits, especially Attention to Detail, Attention Switching, and Communication, positively predicted visual working memory capacity, specifically in the low semantic task, which relies on visual working memory resources. Autistic traits are therefore associated with enhanced processing and recall of visual information. The benefit is removed, however, when multimodal coding may be incorporated, emphasising the visual nature of the benefit. Strengths in focused attention to detail therefore appear to benefit domain-specific visual working memory task performance.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Louise A Brown Nicholls
- School of Psychological Sciences & Health, University of Strathclyde, 40 George Street, Glasgow, G1 1QE, UK.
| | - Mary E Stewart
- Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences, Department of Psychology, School of Social Sciences, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, UK.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Godoy-Giménez M, González-Rodríguez A, Cañadas F, Estévez AF, Sayans-Jiménez P. Is it Possible to Assess the Two-Domain Definition of the Broad Autism Phenotype Using the Available Measurement Tools? J Autism Dev Disord 2022; 52:2884-2895. [PMID: 34185239 PMCID: PMC9213296 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-05158-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Although, the operationalization of the autism spectrum disorder has been updated around two domains, the broad autism phenotype (BAP) one has not. Additionally, the items of the three common BAP measures, the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire (BAPQ), the Autism Quotient, and the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS), remain organized around a non-consensual number of factors. We explored whether the items of these measures matched with the two-domain operationalization through a parallel analysis, which has suggested two main components, and two expert judgments which have assessed item wording, relevance, and construct representativeness. A remaining pool of 48 BAP-relevant items suggested a possible under-representation of two subdomains. Despite the relevance of all the BAPQ items, only the SRS ones tapped in all subdomains.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Godoy-Giménez
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120, Almería, Spain
| | | | - F Cañadas
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120, Almería, Spain
- CERNEP Research Centre, University of Almeria, 04120, Almería, Spain
| | - A F Estévez
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120, Almería, Spain.
- CERNEP Research Centre, University of Almeria, 04120, Almería, Spain.
| | - P Sayans-Jiménez
- Department of Psychology, University of Almeria, 04120, Almería, Spain.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Yang HX, Zhou HY, Li Y, Cui YH, Xiang Y, Yuan RM, Lui SSY, Chan RCK. Decreased interoceptive accuracy in children with autism spectrum disorder and with comorbid attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. Autism Res 2022; 15:729-739. [PMID: 35088528 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2679] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Interoception refers to the awareness of internal physiological state. Several previous studies reported that people with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and adults with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have diverse patterns of interoception, but the extent of literature is limited and inconsistent. This study aimed to investigate the interoceptive accuracy (IA) in children with ASD, children with comorbid ASD and ADHD, and typically developing (TD) children with high and low levels of autistic traits. We administered the eye-tracking interoceptive accuracy task (EIAT) to 30 children with ASD, 20 children with comorbid ASD and ADHD, and 63 TD controls with high and low levels of autistic traits. Parent-report scales concerning ASD and ADHD symptoms were collected. ASD children with and without comorbid ADHD both exhibited lower IA than TD children. Reduced IA was also found in TD children with high-autistic traits relative to those with low-autistic traits. IA was negatively correlated with autistic and ADHD symptoms. Atypical cardiac interoception could be found in children with ASD. Difficulties in sensing and comprehending internal bodily signals in childhood may be related to both ASD and ADHD symptoms.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Han-Xue Yang
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Han-Yu Zhou
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Shanghai Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Psychological Crisis Intervention, School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Ying Li
- Psychiatry Department, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Hua Cui
- Psychiatry Department, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Centre for Children's Health, Beijing, China
| | - Yang Xiang
- Research Center for Mental Health Education, Beijing Institute of Education Shijingshan Branch, Beijing, China
| | - Rong-Man Yuan
- Primary School of Jingyuan, Jingyuan School, Beijing, China
| | - Simon S Y Lui
- Department of Psychiatry, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Raymond C K Chan
- Neuropsychology and Applied Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, CAS Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.,Department of Psychology, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Tarasi L, Trajkovic J, Diciotti S, di Pellegrino G, Ferri F, Ursino M, Romei V. Predictive waves in the autism-schizophrenia continuum: A novel biobehavioral model. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 132:1-22. [PMID: 34774901 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.11.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 10/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The brain is a predictive machine. Converging data suggests a diametric predictive strategy from autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to schizophrenic spectrum disorders (SSD). Whereas perceptual inference in ASD is rigidly shaped by incoming sensory information, the SSD population is prone to overestimate the precision of their priors' models. Growing evidence considers brain oscillations pivotal biomarkers to understand how top-down predictions integrate bottom-up input. Starting from the conceptualization of ASD and SSD as oscillopathies, we introduce an integrated perspective that ascribes the maladjustments of the predictive mechanism to dysregulation of neural synchronization. According to this proposal, disturbances in the oscillatory profile do not allow the appropriate trade-off between descending predictive signal, overweighted in SSD, and ascending prediction errors, overweighted in ASD. These opposing imbalances both result in an ill-adapted reaction to external challenges. This approach offers a neuro-computational model capable of linking predictive coding theories with electrophysiological findings, aiming to increase knowledge on the neuronal foundations of the two spectra features and stimulate hypothesis-driven rehabilitation/research perspectives.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Luca Tarasi
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy.
| | - Jelena Trajkovic
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Stefano Diciotti
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy; Alma Mater Research Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giuseppe di Pellegrino
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy
| | - Francesca Ferri
- Department of Neuroscience, Imaging and Clinical Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | - Mauro Ursino
- Department of Electrical, Electronic, and Information Engineering "Guglielmo Marconi", University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Romei
- Centro Studi e Ricerche in Neuroscienze Cognitive, Dipartimento di Psicologia, Alma Mater Studiorum - Università di Bologna, Campus di Cesena, 47521 Cesena, Italy; IRCCS Fondazione Santa Lucia, 00179 Rome, Italy.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
The Directionality of Fronto-Posterior Brain Connectivity Is Associated with the Degree of Individual Autistic Traits. Brain Sci 2021; 11:brainsci11111443. [PMID: 34827442 PMCID: PMC8615575 DOI: 10.3390/brainsci11111443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered patterns of brain connectivity have been found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and associated with specific symptoms and behavioral features. Growing evidence suggests that the autistic peculiarities are not confined to the clinical population but extend along a continuum between healthy and maladaptive conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate whether a differentiated connectivity pattern could also be tracked along the continuum of autistic traits in a non-clinical population. A Granger causality analysis conducted on a resting-state EEG recording showed that connectivity along the posterior-frontal gradient is sensitive to the magnitude of individual autistic traits and mostly conveyed through fast oscillatory activity. Specifically, participants with higher autistic traits were characterized by a prevalence of ascending connections starting from posterior regions ramping the cortical hierarchy. These findings point to the presence of a tendency within the neural mapping of individuals with higher autistic features in conveying proportionally more bottom-up information. This pattern of findings mimics those found in clinical forms of autism, supporting the idea of a neurobiological continuum between autistic traits and ASD.
Collapse
|
8
|
Álvarez-Couto M, García-Villamisar D, Sáez-Suanes GP, d'Orey Roquete M. Variables predicting the association between autistic traits and externalizing symptoms among young adults. ADVANCES IN AUTISM 2021. [DOI: 10.1108/aia-06-2020-0036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
Purpose
Considering the high comorbidity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with externalizing disorders and that ASD is considered as a continuum, which implies the identification of it features in the whole population, the purpose of this paper is to know the characteristics of the association of externalizing symptoms in the population with ASD traits.
Design/methodology/approach
One hundred and seventeen postsecondary students participated in the study, providing responses to a battery of self-reported tests.
Findings
The existence of a significant association between ASD and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) (0.519; p < 0.01) was proved. Regression analyses showed that problems in executive functioning, working memory deficits and difficulties in the use of emotion regulation strategies predicted the presence of ADHD traits (F = 36.757, R2 = 62.3%, p < 0. 01) and impulsivity behavior (F = 18.249, R2 = 45.1%, p < 0.01).
Research limitations/implications
Externalizing symptomatology in people with higher ASD traits is extended to the general population. Future research should study other problematic behaviors, such as aggression or self-harm, to continue generating appropriate interventions.
Originality/value
The results reported reinforce the study of ASD as a dimensional disorder, in line with the latest advances in the classification of psychopathology. Considering which variables are behind the problematic behaviors allows interventions to be focused on these factors, contributing to their reduction and to the improvement of professional practices.
Collapse
|
9
|
Chen YC, Chen C, Martínez RM, Fan YT, Liu CC, Chen CY, Cheng Y. An amygdala-centered hyper-connectivity signature of threatening face processing predicts anxiety in youths with autism spectrum conditions. Autism Res 2021; 14:2287-2299. [PMID: 34423915 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/06/2021] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
Anxiety is exceedingly prevalent among individuals with an autism spectrum condition (ASC). While recent literature postulates anxiety as a mechanism encompassing an underlying amygdala-related elevated baseline level of arousal even to nonthreatening cues, whether this same mechanism contributes to anxiety in those with an ASC and supports the transdiagnostic nature of anxiety remains elusive. In this case-control study of 51 youths (26 ASC), we assessed autism and anxiety via the Autism-Spectrum Quotient and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, respectively. Hemodynamic responses, including amygdala reactivity, to explicit and implicit (backwardly masked) perception of threatening faces were acquired using functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging (fMRI). For explicit fear, ASC individuals showed significantly greater negative correlations between the amygdala and the attentional deployment-parietal network. For implicit fear, ASC individuals showed significantly stronger correlations of the amygdala with the prefrontal networks, temporal pole, and hippocampus. Additionally, an fMRI-based neurologic signature for anxiety in ASCs was identified via the LibSVM machine learning model using amygdala-centered functional connectivity during the emotional processing of explicit and implicit stimuli. Hypervigilance to implicit threat in ASCs comorbid with anxiety might exacerbate explicit threat reactivity; hence the use of attentional avoidance patterns to restrict affective hyperarousal for explicitly perceived socioemotional stimuli. Consequently, developing an attention-independent behavioral/neural marker identifying anxiety in ASCs is highly warranted. LAY SUMMARY: This study identifies a dissociation of amygdala reactivity dependent on explicit and implicit threat processing. Implicit anxiety in individuals with an autism spectrum condition (ASC) could outweigh explicitly induced threat. When explicitly perceiving socioemotional stimuli, ASC individuals with anxiety might use attentional avoidance patterns to restrict affective hyperarousal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Chun Chen
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan.,Department of Physical Education, National Taiwan University of Sport, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chenyi Chen
- Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Brain and Consciousness Research Center, Shuang-Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.,Graduate Institute of Mind, Brain and Consciousness, College of Humanities and Social Sciences, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Psychiatric Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Róger Marcelo Martínez
- Graduate Institute of Injury Prevention and Control, College of Public Health, Taipei Medical University, Taipei, Taiwan.,School of Psychological Sciences, National Autonomous University of Honduras, Tegucigalpa, Honduras
| | - Yang-Tang Fan
- Graduate Institute of Medicine, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Chia-Chien Liu
- Department of Psychiatry, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.,Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Chin-Yau Chen
- Department of Surgery, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan
| | - Yawei Cheng
- Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University Hospital, Yilan, Taiwan.,Institute of Neuroscience and Brain Research Center, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei, Taiwan.,Department of Education and Research, Taipei City Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
DiCriscio AS, Smith J, Troiani V. Comprehensive Assessment of Visual Perceptual Skills in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Psychol 2021; 12:662808. [PMID: 34326793 PMCID: PMC8314997 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.662808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of the current study was to assess meaningful variability in visual-perceptual skills using a standardized assessment of visual perception, the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills (TVPS), across children with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In addition to assessing overall accuracy across subtests of the TVPS, we also assessed response variability at the item-level, and the linear relationship between quantitative measures of ASD symptoms, task performance, and item-level variance. We report a significant linear relationship between ASD features and performance on the TVPS Figure Ground subtest. Additionally, results of an item-level analysis point to a significant relationship between within-task variability on the Figure Ground subtest and quantitative ASD traits, with a less variable response pattern being associated with increased ASD symptoms. Findings presented here suggest variability in perceptual processing across ASD may be influenced by individual differences in trait distribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Jaclyn Smith
- Geisinger Health System, Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute (ADMI), Lewisburg, PA, United States
| | - Vanessa Troiani
- Geisinger Health System, Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute (ADMI), Lewisburg, PA, United States.,Department of Imaging Science and Innovation, Center for Health Research, Danville, PA, United States.,Geisinger Neuroscience Institute, Danville, PA, United States.,Department of Basic Sciences, Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine, Scranton, PA, United States
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Language Abilities of Russian Primary-School-Aged Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: Evidence from Comprehensive Assessment. J Autism Dev Disord 2021; 52:584-599. [PMID: 33733294 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-021-04967-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
The purpose of the present research was to comprehensively assess the language abilities of Russian primary-school-aged children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), varying in non-verbal IQ, at all linguistic levels (phonology, lexicon, morphosyntax, and discourse) in production and comprehension. Yet, the influence of such non-language factors as children's age, the severity of autistic traits, and non-verbal IQ on language functioning was studied. Our results indicate a high variability of language skills in children with ASD (from normal to impaired) which is in line with the previous studies. Interestingly, the number of children with normal language abilities was related to the linguistic levels: according to more complex morphosyntax and discourse tests, fewer children with ASD were within the normal range unlike the results in simpler phonological and lexical tests. Importantly, we found that language abilities were best predicted by non-verbal IQ but were independent from age and the severity of autistic traits. The findings support the claim that formal language assessment of children with ASD needs to include all linguistic levels, from phonology to discourse, for helping speech-language therapists to choose an appropriate therapy target.
Collapse
|
12
|
Neufeld J, Hagström A, Van't Westeinde A, Lundin K, Cauvet É, Willfors C, Isaksson J, Lichtenstein P, Bölte S. Global and local visual processing in autism - a co-twin-control study. J Child Psychol Psychiatry 2020; 61:470-479. [PMID: 31452200 PMCID: PMC7155117 DOI: 10.1111/jcpp.13120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/19/2019] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is associated with altered global and local visual processing. However, the nature of these alterations remains controversial, with contradictory findings and notions ranging from a reduced drive to integrate information into a coherent 'gestalt' ("weak central coherence" = WCC) to an enhanced perceptual functioning (EPF) in local processing. METHODS This study assessed the association between autism and global/local visual processing, using a large sample of monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins (N = 290, 48% females, age = 8-31 years). The Fragmented Pictures Test (FPT) assessed global processing, whereas local processing was estimated with the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) and the Block Design Test (BDT). Autism was assessed both categorically (clinical diagnosis), and dimensionally (autistic traits). Associations between visual tasks and autism were estimated both across the cohort and within-twin pairs where all factors shared between twins are implicitly controlled. RESULTS Clinical diagnosis and autistic traits predicted a need for more visual information for gestalt processing in the FPT across the cohort. For clinical diagnosis, this association remained within-pairs and at trend-level even within MZ twin pairs alone. ASD and higher autistic traits predicted lower EFT and BDT performance across the cohort, but these associations were lost within-pairs. CONCLUSIONS In line with the WCC account, our findings indicate an association between autism and reduced global visual processing in children, adolescents and young adults (but no evidence for EPF). Observing a similar association within MZ twins suggests a non-shared environmental contribution.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- J. Neufeld
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden
| | - A. Hagström
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden
| | - A. Van't Westeinde
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden,Department of Women's and Children's HealthUnit of Pediatric EndocrinologyKarolinska University HospitalKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - K. Lundin
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden
| | - É. Cauvet
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden
| | - C. Willfors
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden,Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Rare DiseasesKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - J. Isaksson
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden,Department of Neuroscience, Child and Adolescent Psychiatry UnitUppsala UniversityUppsalaSweden
| | - P. Lichtenstein
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and BiostatisticsKarolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - S. Bölte
- Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND)Centre for Psychiatry ResearchDepartment of Women's and Children's HealthKarolinska InstitutetStockholm Health Care Services, Region StockholmStockholmSweden,Curtin Autism Research GroupEssential Partner Autism CRCSchool of Occupational Therapy, Social Work and Speech PathologyCurtin UniversityPerthWAAustralia
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Pluck G, Bravo Mancero P, Ortíz Encalada PA, Urquizo Alcívar AM, Maldonado Gavilanez CE, Chacon P. Differential associations of neurobehavioral traits and cognitive ability to academic achievement in higher education. Trends Neurosci Educ 2020; 18:100124. [PMID: 32085910 DOI: 10.1016/j.tine.2019.100124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2019] [Revised: 11/12/2019] [Accepted: 11/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND People vary between each other on several neurobehavioral traits, which may have implications for understanding academic achievement. METHODS University-level Psychology or Engineering students were assessed for neurobehavioral traits, intelligence, and current psychological distress. Scores were compared with their grade point average (GPA) data. RESULTS Factors associated with higher GPA differed markedly between groups. For Engineers, intelligence, but not neurobehavioral traits or psychological distress, was a strong correlate of grades. For Psychologists, grades were not correlated with intelligence but they were with the neurobehavioral traits of executive dysfunction, disinhibition, apathy, and positive schizotypy. However, only the latter two were associated independently of psychological distress. Additionally, higher mixed-handedness was associated with higher GPA in the combined sample. CONCLUSIONS Neurological factors (i.e., neurobehavioral traits and intelligence), are differentially associated with university-level grades, depending on the major studied. However, mixed-handedness may prove to be a better general predictor of academic performance across disciplines.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Graham Pluck
- Institute of Neurosciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Cumbayá Quito, Ecuador.
| | - Patricia Bravo Mancero
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación, Humanas y Tecnologías, Universidad Nacional de Chimborazo, Ecuador.
| | | | | | | | - Paola Chacon
- Institute of Neurosciences, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Diego de Robles y Vía Interoceánica, Cumbayá Quito, Ecuador.
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Goris J, Brass M, Cambier C, Delplanque J, Wiersema JR, Braem S. The Relation Between Preference for Predictability and Autistic Traits. Autism Res 2019; 13:1144-1154. [PMID: 31799769 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2244] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 10/02/2019] [Accepted: 11/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
A common idea about individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that they have an above-average preference for predictability and sameness. However, surprisingly little research has gone toward this core symptom, and some studies suggest the preference for predictability in ASD might be less general than commonly assumed. Here, we investigated this important symptom of ASD using three different paradigms, which allowed us to measure preference for predictability under well-controlled experimental conditions. Specifically, we used a dimensional approach by investigating correlations between autistic traits (as measured with the Autism-Spectrum Quotient and Social Responsiveness Scale in a neurotypical population) and the scores on three different tasks. The "music preference" task assessed preferences for tone sequences that varied in predictability. The "perceptual fluency" task required participants to evaluate stimuli that were preceded by a similar versus dissimilar subliminally presented prime. The "gambling" task presented four decks of cards that had equal outcome probabilities but varied in predictability. We observed positive correlations between autistic traits and a preference for predictability in both the music preference and perceptual fluency task. We did not find our hypothesized correlation with gambling behavior but did observe a post hoc correlation showing that participants with more autistic traits were faster to choose the predictable deck. Together, these findings show that a relation between autistic traits and preference for predictability can be observed in a standardized lab environment, and should be considered an important first step toward a better, more mechanistic understanding of insistence on sameness in ASD. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1144-1154. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: A core symptom of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a strong preference for predictability, but little research has gone toward it. We show that neurotypical adults with more autistic traits have stronger preferences for predictable tunes, evaluate images that can be predicted as more beautiful, and are faster in choosing a gambling option resulting in predictable reward. These results offer the first important evidence that insistence on sameness in ASD can be studied in controlled lab settings.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Goris
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marcel Brass
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Charlotte Cambier
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Delplanque
- Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| | - Jan R Wiersema
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Senne Braem
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.,Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussel, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Conson M, Senese VP, Baiano C, Zappullo I, Warrier V, Salzano S, Positano M, Baron-Cohen S. The effects of autistic traits and academic degree on visuospatial abilities. Cogn Process 2019; 21:127-140. [PMID: 31758361 DOI: 10.1007/s10339-019-00941-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
In the present study, we were interested to investigate how autistic traits (including systemizing and empathy) and academic degree influence individuals' visuospatial abilities. To this end, 352 university students completed the Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), the Empathy Quotient, the Systemizing Quotient (SQ) and visuospatial tests measuring figure disembedding and mental rotation of two-dimensional figures. Engineering-design students (architecture and engineering) were the most accurate in disembedding and mentally rotating figures, followed by students of physical sciences (computer science, chemistry, physics, etc.) and fact-based humanities (languages, classics, law); biological (psychology and neuroscience, etc.) and systems-based social scientists (economics and commerce) were the least accurate. Engineering-design students also showed higher SQ scores with respect to the other four academic degree subjects, with students of biological sciences showing lower SQ scores. Importantly, results from a path analysis revealed that SQ (but not AQ) exerted an indirect effect on figure disembedding and mental rotations through the influence of the academic degree. Thus, the present findings reveal shady differences in systemizing degree and visuospatial performance within systemizing-based degree subjects. Implications for education are discussed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Massimiliano Conson
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy.
| | - Vincenzo Paolo Senese
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Chiara Baiano
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Isa Zappullo
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Varun Warrier
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - Sara Salzano
- Cognitive-Behavioral School of Psychotherapy "Serapide SPEE", Naples, Italy
| | - Monica Positano
- Developmental Neuropsychology Laboratory, Department of Psychology, University of Campania Luigi Vanvitelli, Viale Ellittico 31, 81100, Caserta, Italy
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Brief Report: Pupillometry, Visual Perception, and ASD Features in a Task-Switching Paradigm. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 49:5086-5099. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-019-04213-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
|
17
|
Stewart ME, Griffiths TD, Grube M. Autistic Traits and Enhanced Perceptual Representation of Pitch and Time. J Autism Dev Disord 2019; 48:1350-1358. [PMID: 26189179 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-015-2517-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Enhanced basic perceptual discrimination has been reported for pitch in individuals with autism spectrum conditions. We test whether there is a correlational pattern of enhancement across the broader autism phenotype and whether this correlation occurs for the discrimination of pitch, time and loudness. Scores on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient correlated significantly with the pitch discrimination (r = -0.51, p < 0.05) and the time-interval discrimination (r = -0.45, p < 0.05) task that were based on a fixed reference. No correlation was found for intensity discrimination based on a fixed reference, nor for a variable reference based time-interval discrimination. The correlations suggest a relationship between autistic traits and the ability to form an enhanced, stable and highly accurate representation of auditory events in the pitch and time dimensions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Mary E Stewart
- Psychology, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK.
| | - Timothy D Griffiths
- Auditory Group, Institute of Neuroscience, Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, England, UK
| | - Manon Grube
- Auditory Group, Institute of Neuroscience, Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, England, UK
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Pirrone A, Wen W, Li S, Baker DH, Milne E. Autistic Traits in the Neurotypical Population do not Predict Increased Response Conservativeness in Perceptual Decision Making. Perception 2018; 47:1081-1096. [DOI: 10.1177/0301006618802689] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Recent research has shown that adults and children with autism spectrum disorders have a more conservative decision criterion in perceptual decision making compared to neurotypical individuals, meaning that autistic participants prioritise accuracy over speed of a decision. Here, we test whether autistic traits in the neurotypical population correlate with increased response conservativeness. We employed three different tasks; for two tasks we recruited participants from China ( N = 39) and for one task from the United Kingdom ( N = 37). Our results show that autistic traits in the neurotypical population do not predict variation in response criterion. We also failed to replicate previous work showing a relationship between autistic traits and sensitivity to coherent motion and static orientation. Following the argument proposed by Gregory and Plaisted-Grant, we discuss why perceptual differences between autistic and neurotypical participants do not necessarily predict perceptual differences between neurotypical participants with high and low autistic traits.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Angelo Pirrone
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Wen Wen
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Li
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences, Peking University, Beijing, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking University, Beijing, China; Key Laboratory of Machine Perception (Ministry of Education), Peking University, Beijing, China
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
19
|
An investigation of global-local processing bias in a large sample of typical individuals varying in autism traits. Conscious Cogn 2018; 65:271-279. [PMID: 30245409 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2018.09.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2018] [Revised: 07/23/2018] [Accepted: 09/02/2018] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Although individuals with an autism spectrum disorder display impaired function across several social and behavioral domains, they possess intact, and often superior visual processing abilities for local relative to global aspects of their visual environment. To address whether differences in visual processing similarly vary within typical individuals as a function of their level of social competence, using the Navon hierarchical figures task, here we examined the relationship between global-local visual processing style and the number of autism-like traits in a large sample of 434 typically developed persons. In line with the existing literature, our data indicated an overall global processing bias. However, this overall visual processing style did not vary with participants' number of autism-like traits. These results suggest that the visual processing of Navon figures may be different in typical individuals vs. those with an autism spectrum disorder, with those differences potentially reflecting specific stimulus and task settings.
Collapse
|
20
|
Schulz SE, Stevenson RA. Sensory hypersensitivity predicts repetitive behaviours in autistic and typically-developing children. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2018; 23:1028-1041. [DOI: 10.1177/1362361318774559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the relationship between sensory hypersensitivity and restricted interests and repetitive behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder and their typically-developing peers. Furthermore, the aims included the examination of the relationship across sensory modalities and various types of restricted interests and repetitive behaviours. Data were collected from the parents of 114 children: 49 of whom were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and 65 typically-developing children. Parents completed the Sensory Profile 2 – Child Version and the Repetitive Behaviours Questionnaire, Second Edition. The results suggested that sensory hypersensitivity is strongly related to the core autism spectrum disorder symptom of repetitive behaviours. This relationship was not specific to autism spectrum disorder; repetitive behaviours significantly increased with sensory hypersensitivity in typically-developing individuals as well. This effect was consistent across all modalities in both autism spectrum disorder and typically developing groups; group differences were observed in the oral and tactile modalities. Furthermore, sensory hypersensitivity was significantly predictive of repetitive behaviours in all participants, autism spectrum disorder and typically-developing, and importantly, autism spectrum disorder diagnosis did not add any predictive influence above and beyond sensory hypersensitivity. Finally, sensory hypersensitivity was significantly predictive of all subdomains of repetitive behaviours, including repetitive motor movements, rigidity and adherence to routine, preoccupation with restricted patterns of interest and unusual sensory interests, and diagnosis added no predictive ability beyond sensory hypersensitivity.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samantha E Schulz
- Department of Psychology, Western University, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, Canada
| | - Ryan A Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Western University, Canada
- Brain and Mind Institute, Western University, Canada
- Department of Psychology, York University, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
21
|
Wykes KM, Hugrass L, Crewther DP. Autistic Traits Are Not a Strong Predictor of Binocular Rivalry Dynamics. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:338. [PMID: 29867339 PMCID: PMC5967175 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 04/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It has been suggested that differences in binocular rivalry switching rates and mixed percept durations in ASD could serve as a biomarker of excitation/inhibition imbalances in the autistic brain. If so, one would expect these differences to extend to neurotypical groups with high vs. low levels of autistic tendency. Previous studies did not detect any correlations between binocular rivalry dynamics and Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) scores in neurotypical control groups; however it is unclear whether this was due to the characteristics of the rivalry stimuli that were used. We further investigated this possibility in a sample of neurotypical young adults. The binocular rivalry stimuli were simple gratings, complex objects, or scrambled objects, which were presented dichoptically, either at fixation or in the periphery. A Bayesian correlation analysis showed that individuals with higher AQ scores tended to have lower perceptual switching rates for the centrally presented, simple grating rival stimuli. However, there was no evidence of a relationship between AQ and switching rates, reversal rates or mixed percept durations for any of the other binocular rivalry conditions. Overall, our findings suggest that in the non-clinical population, autistic personality traits are not a strong predictor of binocular rivalry dynamics.
Collapse
|
22
|
Stevenson JL, Nonack MB. Gender differences in mental rotation strategy depend on degree of autistic traits. Autism Res 2018; 11:1024-1037. [PMID: 29727503 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1958] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2017] [Revised: 03/26/2018] [Accepted: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Participants with low, medium, and high autistic traits completed a mental rotation task while their eye movements were recorded. Men were more accurate than women (F(1, 102) = 4.36, P = 0.04, η2p = 0.04), but there were no group differences in reaction time. In terms of eye movements, all participants tended to rely on top corners of cube figures for most angles of rotation, and bottom corners of cube figures for 0 and 90 degree rotations (duration: F(8, 816) = 21.70, P < 0.001, η2p = 0.18; count: F(8, 816) = 24.42, P < 0.001, η2p = 0.19) suggesting a shift in strategy with rotation angle. Eye movements to corners of cube figures also varied by autistic traits group and gender (duration: F(4, 204) = 2.44, P = 0.05, η2p = 0.05; count: F(4, 204) = 2.47, P = 0.05, η2p = 0.05). Participants with low and medium autistic traits tended to rely more often on the top corners, whereas women with high autistic traits relied on both the top and bottom corners and men with high autistic traits relied on all corners equally. These results suggest mental rotation strategies may vary by both gender and autistic traits. Autism Res 2018, 11: 1024-1037. © 2018 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY The current study looked at eye movements to assess adults' strategies when mentally rotating three-dimensional cube figures. Adults with varying levels of autistic traits differ in their mental rotation strategies. In addition, gender differences in strategies are observed in adults with the highest level of autistic traits.
Collapse
|
23
|
Is the Autism-Spectrum Quotient a Valid Measure of Traits Associated with the Autism Spectrum? A Rasch Validation in Adults with and Without Autism Spectrum Disorders. J Autism Dev Disord 2018; 47:2080-2091. [PMID: 28425021 PMCID: PMC5487751 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3128-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
The Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) is among the most widely used scales assessing autistic traits in the general population. However, some aspects of the AQ are questionable. To test its scale properties, the AQ was translated into Swedish, and data were collected from 349 adults, 130 with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and 219 without ASD, and analysed with Rasch. Several scale properties of the AQ were satisfactory but it did not meet the criterion of a unidimensional measure of autistic traits. The Rasch analysis showed that the 50-item AQ could be reduced to a 12-item subset with little loss of explanatory power, with the potential to efficiently measure the degree to which adults with and without ASD show autistic traits.
Collapse
|
24
|
Skylark WJ, Baron-Cohen S. Initial evidence that non-clinical autistic traits are associated with lower income. Mol Autism 2017; 8:61. [PMID: 29158888 PMCID: PMC5683395 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0179-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2017] [Accepted: 10/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Among non-clinical samples, autistic traits correlate with a range of educational and social outcomes. However, previous work has not investigated the relationship between autistic traits and income, a key determinant of socio-economic status and well-being. In five studies (total N = 2491), we recruited participants without a diagnosis of autism from the general US population via an online platform and administered the short-form Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) as well as asked a range of demographic questions. We found a negative association between AQ and household income, which remained robust after controlling for age, gender, education, employment status, ethnicity, and socially desirable responding. The effect was primarily driven by the participant's own income and was mainly due to the social subscale of the AQ. These results provide initial evidence that income is negatively related to autistic traits among the general population, with potential implications for a range of social, psychological, and health outcomes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William J Skylark
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 3EB UK.,Autism Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
| |
Collapse
|
25
|
Sabatino DiCriscio A, Troiani V. Brief Report: Autism-like Traits are Associated With Enhanced Ability to Disembed Visual Forms. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:1568-1576. [PMID: 28213838 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3053-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Atypical visual perceptual skills are thought to underlie unusual visual attention in autism spectrum disorders. We assessed whether individual differences in visual processing skills scaled with quantitative traits associated with the broader autism phenotype (BAP). Visual perception was assessed using the Figure-ground subtest of the Test of visual perceptual skills-3rd Edition (TVPS). In a large adult cohort (n = 209), TVPS-Figure Ground scores were positively correlated with autistic-like social features as assessed by the Broader autism phenotype questionnaire. This relationship was gender-specific, with males showing a correspondence between visual perceptual skills and autistic-like traits. This work supports the link between atypical visual perception and autism and highlights the importance in characterizing meaningful individual differences in clinically relevant behavioral phenotypes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Vanessa Troiani
- Geisinger Health System, Geisinger Autism and Developmental Medicine Institute (ADMI), Lewisburg, PA, 17837, USA
| |
Collapse
|
26
|
Cribb SJ, Olaithe M, Di Lorenzo R, Dunlop PD, Maybery MT. Embedded Figures Test Performance in the Broader Autism Phenotype: A Meta-analysis. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 46:2924-39. [PMID: 27312717 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-016-2832-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
People with autism show superior performance to controls on the Embedded Figures Test (EFT). However, studies examining the relationship between autistic-like traits and EFT performance in neurotypical individuals have yielded inconsistent findings. To examine the inconsistency, a meta-analysis was conducted of studies that (a) compared high and low Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ) groups, and (b) treated AQ as a continuous variable. Outcomes are consistent with superior visual search forming part of the broader autism phenotype, but in existing literature, this is evident only when comparing extreme groups. Reanalysis of data from previous studies suggests findings are unlikely to be driven by a small number of high scorers. Monte Carlo simulations are used to illustrate the effect of methodological differences on results.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Serena J Cribb
- School of Psychology (M304), University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia.
| | - Michelle Olaithe
- School of Psychology (M304), University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Renata Di Lorenzo
- School of Psychology (M304), University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Patrick D Dunlop
- School of Psychology (M304), University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Murray T Maybery
- School of Psychology (M304), University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Hwy, Crawley, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
27
|
Chowdhury R, Sharda M, Foster NEV, Germain E, Tryfon A, Doyle-Thomas K, Anagnostou E, Hyde KL. Auditory Pitch Perception in Autism Spectrum Disorder Is Associated With Nonverbal Abilities. Perception 2017; 46:1298-1320. [PMID: 28683588 DOI: 10.1177/0301006617718715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Atypical sensory perception and heterogeneous cognitive profiles are common features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, previous findings on auditory sensory processing in ASD are mixed. Accordingly, auditory perception and its relation to cognitive abilities in ASD remain poorly understood. Here, children with ASD, and age- and intelligence quotient (IQ)-matched typically developing children, were tested on a low- and a higher level pitch processing task. Verbal and nonverbal cognitive abilities were measured using the Wechsler's Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence. There were no group differences in performance on either auditory task or IQ measure. However, there was significant variability in performance on the auditory tasks in both groups that was predicted by nonverbal, not verbal skills. These results suggest that auditory perception is related to nonverbal reasoning rather than verbal abilities in ASD and typically developing children. In addition, these findings provide evidence for preserved pitch processing in school-age children with ASD with average IQ, supporting the idea that there may be a subgroup of individuals with ASD that do not present perceptual or cognitive difficulties. Future directions involve examining whether similar perceptual-cognitive relationships might be observed in a broader sample of individuals with ASD, such as those with language impairment or lower IQ.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rakhee Chowdhury
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, International Laboratory for Brain Music and Sound Research, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Megha Sharda
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, International Laboratory for Brain Music and Sound Research, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Nicholas E V Foster
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, International Laboratory for Brain Music and Sound Research, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Esther Germain
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, International Laboratory for Brain Music and Sound Research, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Ana Tryfon
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, International Laboratory for Brain Music and Sound Research, Montréal, QC, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - Krissy Doyle-Thomas
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Evdokia Anagnostou
- Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, University of Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Krista L Hyde
- Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal, International Laboratory for Brain Music and Sound Research, Montréal, QC, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, McGill University, Montréal, QC, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
28
|
Abstract
People with autism spectrum conditions (ASC) show reduced sensitivity to
contextual stimuli in many perceptual and cognitive tasks. We investigated
whether this also applies to decision making by examining adult participants’
choices between pairs of consumer products that were presented with a third,
less desirable “decoy” option. Participants’ preferences between the items in a
given pair frequently switched when the third item in the set was changed, but
this tendency was reduced among individuals with ASC, which indicated that their
choices were more consistent and conventionally rational than those of control
participants. A comparison of people who were drawn from the general population
and who varied in their levels of autistic traits revealed a weaker version of
the same effect. The reduced context sensitivity was not due to differences in
noisy responding, and although the ASC group took longer to make their
decisions, this did not account for the enhanced consistency of their choices.
The results extend the characterization of autistic cognition as relatively
context insensitive to a new domain, and have practical implications for
socioeconomic behavior.
Collapse
|
29
|
Chee DY, Lee HC, Patomella AH, Falkmer T. Driving Behaviour Profile of Drivers with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:2658-2670. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3178-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
|
30
|
Psychometric Properties of the Autism-Spectrum Quotient for Assessing Low and High Levels of Autistic Traits in College Students. J Autism Dev Disord 2017; 47:1838-1853. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-017-3109-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
31
|
Parkington KB, Clements RJ, Landry O, Chouinard PA. Visual-motor association learning in undergraduate students as a function of the autism-spectrum quotient. Exp Brain Res 2015. [DOI: 10.1007/s00221-015-4358-x\] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
|
32
|
Visual-motor association learning in undergraduate students as a function of the autism-spectrum quotient. Exp Brain Res 2015; 233:2883-95. [PMID: 26105755 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-015-4358-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2014] [Accepted: 06/09/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
We examined how performance on an associative learning task changes in a sample of undergraduate students as a function of their autism-spectrum quotient (AQ) score. The participants, without any prior knowledge of the Japanese language, learned to associate hiragana characters with button responses. In the novel condition, 50 participants learned visual-motor associations without any prior exposure to the stimuli's visual attributes. In the familiar condition, a different set of 50 participants completed a session in which they first became familiar with the stimuli's visual appearance prior to completing the visual-motor association learning task. Participants with higher AQ scores had a clear advantage in the novel condition; the amount of training required reaching learning criterion correlated negatively with AQ. In contrast, participants with lower AQ scores had a clear advantage in the familiar condition; the amount of training required to reach learning criterion correlated positively with AQ. An examination of how each of the AQ subscales correlated with these learning patterns revealed that abilities in visual discrimination-which is known to depend on the visual ventral-stream system-may have afforded an advantage in the novel condition for the participants with the higher AQ scores, whereas abilities in attention switching-which are known to require mechanisms in the prefrontal cortex-may have afforded an advantage in the familiar condition for the participants with the lower AQ scores.
Collapse
|
33
|
Ota M, Stewart ME, Petrou AM, Dickie C. Lexical effects on children's speech processing: individual differences reflected in the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). JOURNAL OF SPEECH, LANGUAGE, AND HEARING RESEARCH : JSLHR 2015; 58:422-433. [PMID: 25633845 DOI: 10.1044/2015_jslhr-l-14-0061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2014] [Accepted: 12/16/2014] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was undertaken to examine whether children exhibit the same relationship that adults show between lexical influence on phoneme identification and individual variation on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). METHOD Data from 62 4- to 7-year-olds with no diagnosis of autism were analyzed. The main task involved identification of the initial sound in pairs of voice-onset time continua with a real word on one end and a nonword on the other (e.g., gift-kift, giss-kiss). Participants were also given the children's version of the AQ and a 2nd instrument related to autistic-like traits, the Social Responsiveness Scale (SRS). RESULTS The lexical shift was related to the AQ (particularly to its Attention Switching subscale) but not to the SRS. CONCLUSIONS The size of lexical effects on children's speech perception can be predicted by AQ scores but not necessarily by other measures of autism-like traits. The results indicate that speech perception in children manifests individual differences along some general dimension of cognitive style reflected in the AQ, possibly in relation to local/global information processing.
Collapse
|
34
|
Visuospatial processing in children with autism: no evidence for (training-resistant) abnormalities. J Autism Dev Disord 2014; 44:2230-43. [PMID: 24696376 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2107-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been assumed to show evidence of abnormal visuospatial processing, which has been attributed to a failure to integrate local features into coherent global Gestalts and/or to a bias towards local processing. As the available data are based on baseline performance only, which does not provide insight into cognitive/neural plasticity and actual cognitive potential, we investigated how training-resistant possible visuospatial processing differences between children with and without ASD are. In particular, we studied the effect of computerized versus face-to-face visuospatial training in a group of normally intelligent children with ASD and typically developing children as control. Findings show that (a) children with and without ASD do not differ much in visuospatial processing (as assessed by a tangram-like task) and the few differences we observed were all eliminated by training; (b) training can improve visuospatial processing (equally) in both children with ASD and normally developing children; and (c) computer-based and face-to-face training was equally effective.
Collapse
|
35
|
Dickinson A, Jones M, Milne E. Oblique Orientation Discrimination Thresholds Are Superior in Those with a High Level of Autistic Traits. J Autism Dev Disord 2014; 44:2844-50. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-014-2147-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
|
36
|
Kana RK, Liu Y, Williams DL, Keller TA, Schipul SE, Minshew NJ, Just MA. The local, global, and neural aspects of visuospatial processing in autism spectrum disorders. Neuropsychologia 2013; 51:2995-3003. [PMID: 24184351 PMCID: PMC3900283 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2013.10.013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2013] [Revised: 10/21/2013] [Accepted: 10/23/2013] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Behavioral studies have documented a relative advantage in some aspects of visuospatial cognition in autism although it is not consistently found in higher functioning individuals with autism. The purpose of this functional neuroimaging study was to examine the neural activity in high functioning individuals with autism while they performed a block design task that systematically varied with regard to whether a global pattern was present. Participants were 14 adults with high-functioning autism and 14 age and IQ matched typical controls. The task was to identify a missing block in target figures which had either an obvious global shape or was an arbitrary array of blocks. Behavioral results showed intact, but not superior, performance in our participants with autism. A key group difference was that the participants with autism showed reliably greater activation in occipital and parietal regions in both tasks suggesting an increased reliance of the autism group on posterior brain areas to mediate visuospatial tasks. Thus, increased reliance on relatively posterior brain regions in itself may not guarantee superior performance as seen in the present study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Rajesh K Kana
- Department of Psychology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Civitan International Research Center CIRC 235G, 1719 6th Ave South, Birmingham, AL, United States.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
37
|
The relationship between sensory sensitivity and autistic traits in the general population. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 43:775-84. [PMID: 22832890 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1608-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 234] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) tend to have sensory processing difficulties (Baranek et al. in J Child Psychol Psychiatry 47:591-601, 2006). These difficulties include over- and under-responsiveness to sensory stimuli, and problems modulating sensory input (Ben-Sasson et al. in J Autism Dev Disorders 39:1-11, 2009). As those with ASD exist at the extreme end of a continuum of autistic traits that is also evident in the general population, we investigated the link between ASD and sensory sensitivity in the general population by administering two questionnaires online to 212 adult participants. Results showed a highly significant positive correlation (r = .775, p < .001) between number of autistic traits and the frequency of sensory processing problems. These data suggest a strong link between sensory processing and autistic traits in the general population, which in turn potentially implicates sensory processing problems in social interaction difficulties.
Collapse
|
38
|
Gregory BL, Plaisted-Grant KC. The Autism-Spectrum Quotient and Visual Search: Shallow and Deep Autistic Endophenotypes. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 46:1503-12. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-013-1951-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
39
|
Eapen V, Črnčec R, Walter A. Exploring Links between Genotypes, Phenotypes, and Clinical Predictors of Response to Early Intensive Behavioral Intervention in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Front Hum Neurosci 2013; 7:567. [PMID: 24062668 PMCID: PMC3769633 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2013.00567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2013] [Accepted: 08/26/2013] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is amongst the most familial of psychiatric disorders. Twin and family studies have demonstrated a monozygotic concordance rate of 70-90%, dizygotic concordance of around 10%, and more than a 20-fold increase in risk for first-degree relatives. Despite major advances in the genetics of autism, the relationship between different aspects of the behavioral and cognitive phenotype and their underlying genetic liability is still unclear. This is complicated by the heterogeneity of autism, which exists at both genetic and phenotypic levels. Given this heterogeneity, one method to find homogeneous entities and link these with specific genotypes would be to pursue endophenotypes. Evidence from neuroimaging, eye tracking, and electrophysiology studies supports the hypothesis that, building on genetic vulnerability, ASD emerges from a developmental cascade in which a deficit in attention to social stimuli leads to impaired interactions with primary caregivers. This results in abnormal development of the neurocircuitry responsible for social cognition, which in turn adversely affects later behavioral and functional domains dependent on these early processes, such as language development. Such a model begets a heterogeneous clinical phenotype, and is also supported by studies demonstrating better clinical outcomes with earlier treatment. Treatment response following intensive early behavioral intervention in ASD is also distinctly variable; however, relatively little is known about specific elements of the clinical phenotype that may predict response to current behavioral treatments. This paper overviews the literature regarding genotypes, phenotypes, and predictors of response to behavioral intervention in ASD and presents suggestions for future research to explore linkages between these that would enable better identification of, and increased treatment efficacy for, ASD.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Valsamma Eapen
- Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Rudi Črnčec
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Amelia Walter
- Academic Unit of Child Psychiatry South West Sydney, South Western Sydney Local Health District, Liverpool, NSW, Australia
- School of Psychiatry, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
40
|
Palmer CJ, Paton B, Hohwy J, Enticott PG. Movement under uncertainty: The effects of the rubber-hand illusion vary along the nonclinical autism spectrum. Neuropsychologia 2013; 51:1942-51. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2013.06.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2013] [Revised: 06/17/2013] [Accepted: 06/18/2013] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
|
41
|
Jackson BL, Blackwood EM, Blum J, Carruthers SP, Nemorin S, Pryor BA, Sceneay SD, Bevan S, Crewther DP. Magno- and Parvocellular Contrast Responses in Varying Degrees of Autistic Trait. PLoS One 2013; 8:e66797. [PMID: 23824955 PMCID: PMC3688931 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0066797] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2012] [Accepted: 05/15/2013] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Autistic tendency has been associated with altered visual perception, especially impaired visual motion sensitivity and global/local integration, as well as enhanced visual search and local shape recognition. However, the neurophysiological mechanisms underlying these abnormalities remain poorly defined. The current study recruited 29 young adults displaying low, middle or high autistic trait as measured by Baron-Cohen's Autism spectrum Quotient (AQ), and measured motion coherence thresholds psychophysically, with manipulation of dot lifetime and stimulus contrast, as well as nonlinear cortical visual evoked potentials (VEPs) over a range of temporal luminance contrast levels from 10% to 95%. Contrast response functions extracted from the major first order and second order Wiener kernel peaks of the VEPs showed consistent variation with AQ group, and Naka-Rushton fits enabled contrast gain and semi-saturation contrasts to be elicited for each peak. A short latency second order response (previously associated with magnocellular processing) with high contrast gain and a saturating contrast response function showed higher amplitude for the High AQ (compared with Mid and Low groups) indicating poorer neural recovery after rapid stimulation. A non-linearity evoked at longer interaction times (previously associated with parvocellular processing) with no evidence of contrast saturation and lower contrast gain showed no difference between autism quotient groups across the full range of stimulus contrasts. In addition, the short latency first order response and a small, early second order second slice response showed gain and semi-saturation parameters indicative of magnocellular origin, while the longer latency first order response probably reflects a mixture of inputs (including feedback from higher cortical areas). Significant motion coherence (AQ group) * (dot lifetime) interactions with higher coherence threshold for limited dot lifetime stimuli is consistent with atypical magnocellular functioning, however psychophysical performance for those with High AQ is not explained fully, suggesting that other factors may be involved.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Brianna L. Jackson
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Ellie M. Blackwood
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Julieanne Blum
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sean P. Carruthers
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Sabrina Nemorin
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Brett A. Pryor
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Shannon D. Sceneay
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Stephanie Bevan
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - David P. Crewther
- Centre for Human Psychopharmacology, Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|
42
|
Poljac E, Poljac E, Yeung N. Cognitive control of intentions for voluntary actions in individuals with a high level of autistic traits. J Autism Dev Disord 2013; 42:2523-33. [PMID: 22434281 PMCID: PMC3490069 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1509-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Impairments in cognitive control generating deviant adaptive cognition have been proposed to account for the strong preference for repetitive behavior in autism. We examined if this preference reflects intentional deficits rather than problems in task execution in the broader autism phenotype using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). Participants chose between two tasks differing in their relative strength by indicating first their voluntary task choice and then responding to the subsequently presented stimulus. We observed a stronger repetition bias for the harder task in high AQ participants, with no other differences between the two groups. These findings indicate that the interference between competing tasks significantly contributes to repetitive behavior in autism by modulating the formation of task intentions when choosing tasks voluntarily.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Edita Poljac
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, South Parks Road, Oxford OX1 3UD, UK.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
43
|
Clark AI, Hughes PS, Grube M, Stewart ME. Autistic Traits and Sensitivity to Interference With Flavour Identification. Autism Res 2013; 6:332-6. [DOI: 10.1002/aur.1293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2011] [Accepted: 02/15/2013] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manon Grube
- Auditory Group; Institute of Neuroscience; Medical School; Newcastle University; Newcastle-upon-Tyne UK
| | | |
Collapse
|
44
|
Stevenson JL, Gernsbacher MA. Abstract spatial reasoning as an autistic strength. PLoS One 2013; 8:e59329. [PMID: 23533615 PMCID: PMC3606476 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0059329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2012] [Accepted: 02/13/2013] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autistic individuals typically excel on spatial tests that measure abstract reasoning, such as the Block Design subtest on intelligence test batteries and the Raven’s Progressive Matrices nonverbal test of intelligence. Such well-replicated findings suggest that abstract spatial processing is a relative and perhaps absolute strength of autistic individuals. However, previous studies have not systematically varied reasoning level – concrete vs. abstract – and test domain – spatial vs. numerical vs. verbal, which the current study did. Autistic participants (N = 72) and non-autistic participants (N = 72) completed a battery of 12 tests that varied by reasoning level (concrete vs. abstract) and domain (spatial vs. numerical vs. verbal). Autistic participants outperformed non-autistic participants on abstract spatial tests. Non-autistic participants did not outperform autistic participants on any of the three domains (spatial, numerical, and verbal) or at either of the two reasoning levels (concrete and abstract), suggesting similarity in abilities between autistic and non-autistic individuals, with abstract spatial reasoning as an autistic strength.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer L Stevenson
- Department of Psychology, Ursinus College, Collegeville, Pennsylvania, United States of America.
| | | |
Collapse
|
45
|
Sasson NJ, Nowlin RB, Pinkham AE. Social cognition, social skill, and the broad autism phenotype. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2012; 17:655-67. [PMID: 22987889 DOI: 10.1177/1362361312455704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Social-cognitive deficits differentiate parents with the "broad autism phenotype" from non-broad autism phenotype parents more robustly than other neuropsychological features of autism, suggesting that this domain may be particularly informative for identifying genetic and brain processes associated with the phenotype. The current study examined whether the social-cognitive deficits associated with the broad autism phenotype extend to the general population and relate to reduced social skill. A total of 74 undergraduates completed the Broad Autism Phenotype Questionnaire, three standardized social-cognitive tasks, and a live social interaction with an unfamiliar research assistant. Social broad autism phenotype traits were significantly associated with deficits in social cognition and reduced social skill. In addition, the relationship between social broad autism phenotype traits and social skill was partially mediated by social cognition, suggesting that the reduced interpersonal ability associated with the broad autism phenotype occurs in part because of poorer social-cognitive ability. Together, these findings indicate that the impairments in social cognition and social skill that characterize autism spectrum disorder extend in milder forms to the broad autism phenotype in the general population and suggest a framework for understanding how social broad autism phenotype traits may manifest in diminished social ability.
Collapse
|
46
|
Poljac E, Poljac E, Wagemans J. Reduced accuracy and sensitivity in the perception of emotional facial expressions in individuals with high autism spectrum traits. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2012; 17:668-80. [PMID: 22987888 DOI: 10.1177/1362361312455703] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is among other things characterized by specific impairments in emotion processing. It is not clear, however, to what extent the typical decline in affective functioning is related to the specific autistic traits. We employed The Autism Spectrum-Quotient (AQ) to quantify autistic traits in a group of 500 healthy individuals and investigate whether we could detect similar difficulties in the perception of emotional expressions in a broader autistic phenotype. The group with high AQ score was less accurate and needed higher emotional content to recognize emotions of anger, disgust, and sadness. Our findings demonstrate a selective impairment in identification of emotional facial expressions in healthy individuals that is primarily related to the extent of autistic traits.
Collapse
|
47
|
Miu AC, Pană SE, Avram J. Emotional face processing in neurotypicals with autistic traits: implications for the broad autism phenotype. Psychiatry Res 2012; 198:489-94. [PMID: 22425467 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2012.01.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2011] [Revised: 11/06/2011] [Accepted: 01/23/2012] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
The present study investigated emotional face processing in neurotypicals selected for autistic traits (AT). Participants (N=81), who obtained scores one standard deviation above or below average on the Autism Spectrum Quotient, were tested using observational fear conditioning (FC), a face version of the attention probe task, and the "Reading the Mind in the Eyes" test. The results indicated that high AT participants displayed enhanced observational FC, no attentional bias to fearful faces, and increased latency (but normal accuracy) to recognizing the mental state of another. To a certain extent, this pattern resembles the social-emotional phenotype that was previously described in autism spectrum disorders. Therefore, these results may contribute to the broad autism phenotype perspective.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andrei C Miu
- Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Department of Psychology, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, CJ 400015, Romania.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
48
|
Burnett HG, Jellema T. (Re-)conceptualisation in Asperger’s Syndrome and Typical Individuals with Varying Degrees of Autistic-like Traits. J Autism Dev Disord 2012; 43:211-23. [DOI: 10.1007/s10803-012-1567-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
|
49
|
Spek AA, Scholte EM, Van Berckelaer-Onnes IA. Local information processing in adults with high functioning autism and asperger syndrome: the usefulness of neuropsychological tests and self-reports. J Autism Dev Disord 2011; 41:859-69. [PMID: 20862532 PMCID: PMC3115063 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-010-1106-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Local information processing in 42 adults with high functioning autism, 41 adults with Asperger syndrome and 41 neurotypical adults was examined. Contrary to our expectations, the disorder groups did not outperform the neurotypical group in the neuropsychological measures of local information processing. In line with our hypotheses, the self-reports did show higher levels of local information processing and a stronger tendency to use systemizing strategies in the two disorder groups. Absent and weak correlations were found between the self-reports and the two neuropsychological tasks in the three groups. The neuropsychological tests and the self-reports seem to measure different underlying constructs. The self-reports were most predictive of the presence of an autism spectrum diagnosis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annelies A Spek
- GGZ Eindhoven, Boschdijk 771, P.O. Box BD6232, 5626 AB Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
50
|
Reed P, Lowe C, Everett R. Perceptual learning and perceptual search are altered in male university students with higher Autism Quotient scores. PERSONALITY AND INDIVIDUAL DIFFERENCES 2011. [DOI: 10.1016/j.paid.2011.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
|