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Marsicano G, Casartelli L, Federici A, Bertoni S, Vignali L, Molteni M, Facoetti A, Ronconi L. Prolonged neural encoding of visual information in autism. Autism Res 2024; 17:37-54. [PMID: 38009961 DOI: 10.1002/aur.3062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/30/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is associated with a hyper-focused visual attentional style, impacting higher-order social and affective domains. The understanding of such peculiarity can benefit from the use of multivariate pattern analysis (MVPA) of high-resolution electroencephalography (EEG) data, which has proved to be a powerful technique to investigate the hidden neural dynamics orchestrating sensory and cognitive processes. Here, we recorded EEG in typically developing (TD) children and in children with ASD during a visuo-spatial attentional task where attention was exogenously captured by a small (zoom-in) or large (zoom-out) cue in the visual field before the appearance of a target at different eccentricities. MVPA was performed both in the cue-locked period, to reveal potential differences in the modulation of the attentional focus, and in the target-locked period, to reveal potential cascade effects on stimulus processing. Cue-locked MVPA revealed that while in the TD group the pattern of neural activity contained information about the cue mainly before the target appearance, the ASD group showed a temporally sustained and topographically diffuse significant decoding of the cue neural response even after the target onset, suggesting a delayed extinction of cue-related neural activity. Crucially, this delayed extinction positively correlated with behavioral measures of attentional hyperfocusing. Results of target-locked MVPA were coherent with a hyper-focused attentional profile, highlighting an earlier and stronger decoding of target neural responses in small cue trials in the ASD group. The present findings document a spatially and temporally overrepresented encoding of visual information in ASD, which can constitute one of the main reasons behind their peculiar cognitive style.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianluca Marsicano
- Department of Psychology, University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
- Centre for Studies and Research in Cognitive Neuroscience, University of Bologna, Cesena, Italy
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Casartelli
- Child Psychopathology Department, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | | | - Sara Bertoni
- Department of Human and Social Sciences, University of Bergamo, Bergamo, Italy
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | | | - Massimo Molteni
- Child Psychopathology Department, Theoretical and Cognitive Neuroscience Unit, Scientific Institute IRCCS E.MEDEA, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Andrea Facoetti
- Developmental and Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, Department of General Psychology, University of Padua, Padova, Italy
| | - Luca Ronconi
- Division of Neuroscience, IRCCS San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy
- School of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
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MacLennan K, Woolley C, @21andsensory E, Heasman B, Starns J, George B, Manning C. "It Is a Big Spider Web of Things": Sensory Experiences of Autistic Adults in Public Spaces. AUTISM IN ADULTHOOD 2023; 5:411-422. [PMID: 38116051 PMCID: PMC10726197 DOI: 10.1089/aut.2022.0024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Sensory processing differences are commonly experienced by autistic individuals, and some sensory experiences can greatly impact the mental health and quality of life of individuals. Previous research suggests that adapting the sensory nature of environments may improve individual experiences and engagement with these spaces. However, knowledge about which public places are particularly disabling is limited, especially from the perspective of autistic individuals. Little is also known about what in the sensory environment makes them particularly disabling. Methods In this participatory research study, we investigated the sensory experiences of autistic adults in public spaces. We used an online focus group method, recruiting 24 autistic adults across 7 focus groups. We applied content analysis, reflexive thematic analysis, and case study analysis. Results The results of the content analysis showed that supermarkets, eateries (i.e., restaurants, cafés, pubs), highstreets and city/town centers, public transport, health care settings (i.e., doctor's surgeries and hospitals), and retail shops and shopping centers are experienced to be commonly disabling sensory environments for autistic adults. However, outdoor spaces, retail shops, museums, concert venues/clubs, cinemas/theaters, and stadiums are identified to be commonly less disabling sensory environments. In addition, through reflexive thematic analysis we identified 6 key principles that underlie how disabling or enabling sensory environments are: Sensoryscape (sensory environment), Space, Predictability, Understanding, Adjustments, and Recovery. We represented these principles as a web to emphasize the interconnected, dimensional spectrum of the different themes. Lastly, we used case study analysis to evidence these principles in the commonly disabling sensory environments for richer detail and context and to provide credibility for the principles. Conclusions Our findings have important implications for businesses, policy, and built environment designers to reduce the sensory impact of public places to make them more enabling for autistic people. By making public spaces more enabling, we may be able to improve quality of life for autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keren MacLennan
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Woolley
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Emily @21andsensory
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Brett Heasman
- School of Education, Language and Psychology, York St John University, York, United Kingdom
| | - Jess Starns
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Becky George
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Manning
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading, Reading, United Kingdom
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Perna J, Bellato A, Ganapathy PS, Solmi M, Zampieri A, Faraone SV, Cortese S. Association between Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and vision problems. A systematic review and meta-analysis. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:5011-5023. [PMID: 37495888 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02143-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
AIM To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis assessing whether vision and/or eye disorders are associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). METHOD Based on a pre-registered protocol (PROSPERO: CRD42022328485), we searched PubMed, Web of Knowledge/Science, Ovid Medline, Embase and APA PsycINFO up to 5th February 2022, with no language/type of document restrictions. We included observational studies 1) reporting at least one measure of vision in people of any age with a diagnosis of ASD based on DSM or ICD criteria, or ADOS; or 2) reporting the prevalence of ASD in people with and without vision disorders. Study quality was assessed with the Appraisal tool for Cross-Sectional Studies (AXIS). Random-effects meta-analyses were used for data synthesis. RESULTS We included 49 studies in the narrative synthesis and 46 studies in the meta-analyses (15,629,159 individuals distributed across multiple different measures). We found meta-analytic evidence of increased prevalence of strabismus (OR = 4.72 [95% CI: 4.60, 4.85]) in people with versus those without ASD (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 1.0545, p = 0.7881). We also found evidence of increased accommodation deficits (Hedge's g = 0.68 [CI: 0.28, 1.08]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 6.9331, p = 0.0741), reduced peripheral vision (-0.82 [CI: -1.32, -0.33]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 4.8075, p = 0.4398), reduced stereoacuity (0.73 [CI: -1.14, -0.31]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 0.8974, p = 0.3435), increased color discrimination difficulties (0.69 [CI: 0.27,1.10]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 9.9928, p = 0.1890), reduced contrast sensitivity (0.45 [CI: -0.60, -0.30]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 9.9928, p = 0.1890) and increased retinal thickness (=0.29 [CI: 0.07, 0.51]) (non-significant heterogeneity: Q = 0.8113, p = 0.9918) in ASD. DISCUSSION ASD is associated with some self-reported and objectively measured functional vision problems, and structural alterations of the eye, even though we observed several methodological limitations in the individual studies included in our meta-analyses. Further research should clarify the causal relationship, if any, between ASD and problems of vision during early life. PROSPERO REGISTRATION CRD42022328485.
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Affiliation(s)
- John Perna
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Alessio Bellato
- School of Psychology, University of Nottingham Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Preethi S Ganapathy
- Department of Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences, Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA
| | - Marco Solmi
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- On Track: The Champlain First Episode Psychosis Program, Department of Mental Health, The Ottawa Hospital, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Ottawa Hospital Research Institute (OHRI) Clinical Epidemiology Program University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Andrea Zampieri
- Vittorio Emanuele III Hospital - Montecchio Maggiore, Vicenza, Italy
| | - Stephen V Faraone
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Norton College of Medicine at SUNY Upstate Medical University, Syracuse, NY, USA.
| | - Samuele Cortese
- Centre for Innovation in Mental Health, School of Psychology, Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Solent NHS Trust, Southampton, UK
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences (CNS and Psychiatry), Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
- Hassenfeld Children's Hospital at NYU Langone, New York University Child Study Center, New York, NY, USA
- Division of Psychiatry and Applied Psychology, School of Medicine, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK
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Taels L, Feyaerts J, Lizon M, De Smet M, Vanheule S. 'I felt like my senses were under attack': An interpretative phenomenological analysis of experiences of hypersensitivity in autistic individuals. AUTISM : THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RESEARCH AND PRACTICE 2023; 27:2269-2280. [PMID: 36876409 DOI: 10.1177/13623613231158182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
LAY ABSTRACT Research shows that the way autistic individuals perceive and process sensory stimuli differs from those of non-autistic people. However, while current research often focuses on what sensory differences in autism are and which neurocognitive processes may explain these, it often does not explicitly address what it is like to experience the world through the senses of an autistic person. To explore this understudied dimension, we conducted 18 in-depth interviews with autistic individuals in order to better understand how they personally experienced hypersensitivity from a first-person perspective. Participants described hypersensitivity as a feeling of being bombarded by intrusive stimuli that seemed to invade their bodies and from which they had difficulties distancing themselves. They also indicated how due to hypersensitivity they often perceived their (social) environment as invasive, chaotic, unpredictable or threatening. Hypersensitivities were thus not only described as unsettling bodily experiences but also related to challenges in perceiving, understanding and interacting with the (social) world. By focussing on the subjective dimension of sensory processing in autism, our study thus highlights how sensory difficulties are not peripheral features of autism but play an essential part in the daily challenges faced by autistic individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Melissa De Smet
- Ghent University, Belgium
- Tilburg University, The Netherlands
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Al-Beltagi M, Saeed NK, Bediwy AS, Elbeltagi R, Alhawamdeh R. Role of gastrointestinal health in managing children with autism spectrum disorder. World J Clin Pediatr 2023; 12:171-196. [PMID: 37753490 PMCID: PMC10518744 DOI: 10.5409/wjcp.v12.i4.171] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) or autism are more prone to gastrointestinal (GI) disorders than the general population. These disorders can significantly affect their health, learning, and development due to various factors such as genetics, environment, and behavior. The causes of GI disorders in children with ASD can include gut dysbiosis, immune dysfunction, food sensitivities, digestive enzyme deficiencies, and sensory processing differences. Many studies suggest that numerous children with ASD experience GI problems, and effective management is crucial. Diagnosing autism is typically done through genetic, neurological, functional, and behavioral assessments and observations, while GI tests are not consistently reliable. Some GI tests may increase the risk of developing ASD or exacerbating symptoms. Addressing GI issues in individuals with ASD can improve their overall well-being, leading to better behavior, cognitive function, and educational abilities. Proper management can improve digestion, nutrient absorption, and appetite by relieving physical discomfort and pain. Alleviating GI symptoms can improve sleep patterns, increase energy levels, and contribute to a general sense of well-being, ultimately leading to a better quality of life for the individual and improved family dynamics. The primary goal of GI interventions is to improve nutritional status, reduce symptom severity, promote a balanced mood, and increase patient independence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammed Al-Beltagi
- Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Algharbia, Tanta 31511, Egypt
- Pediatrics, Univeristy Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama, Manama 26671, Bahrain
| | - Nermin Kamal Saeed
- Medical Microbiology Section, Pathology Department, Salmaniya Medical Complex, Ministry of Health, Manama, Manama 12, Bahrain
- Medical Microbiology Section, Pathology Department, Irish Royal College of Surgeon, Bahrain, Muharraq, Busaiteen 15503, Bahrain
| | - Adel Salah Bediwy
- Pulmonology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Algharbia, Tanta 31527, Egypt
- Pulmonology Department, University Medical Center, King Abdulla Medical City, Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Sulaiman Al Habib Medical Group, Manama, Manama 26671, Bahrain
| | - Reem Elbeltagi
- Medicine, The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland-Bahrain, Muharraq, Busiateen 15503, Bahrain
| | - Rawan Alhawamdeh
- Pediatrics Research, and Development Department, Genomics Creativity and Play Center, Manama, Manama 0000, Bahrain
- Pediatrics Research, and Development Department, SENSORYME Dubai 999041, United Arab Emirates
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Subri S, Palumbo L, Gowen E. Symmetry Detection in Autistic Adults Benefits from Local Processing in a Contour Integration Task. J Autism Dev Disord 2023:10.1007/s10803-023-06093-5. [PMID: 37642870 DOI: 10.1007/s10803-023-06093-5] [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] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Symmetry studies in autism are inconclusive possibly due to different types of stimuli used which depend on either local or global cues. Therefore, this study compared symmetry detection between 20 autistic and 18 non-autistic adults matched on age, IQ, gender and handedness, using contour integration tasks containing open and closed contours that rely more on local or global processing respectively. Results showed that the autistic group performed equally well with both stimuli and outperformed the non-autistic group only for the open contours, possibly due to a different strategy used in detecting symmetry. However, there were no group differences for the closed contour. Results explain discrepant findings in previous symmetry studies suggesting that symmetry tasks that favour a local strategy may be advantageous for autistic individuals. Implications of the findings towards understanding visual sensory issues in this group are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina Subri
- Center of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Teknologi MARA, Cawangan Selangor, 42300, Puncak Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Letizia Palumbo
- Department of Psychology, Liverpool Hope University, Liverpool, UK
| | - Emma Gowen
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
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Sapey-Triomphe LA, Dierckx J, Vettori S, van Overwalle J, Wagemans J. A multilevel investigation of sensory sensitivity and responsivity in autistic adults. Autism Res 2023; 16:1299-1320. [PMID: 37272695 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Atypical sensory processing is a core symptom of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We aimed at better characterizing visual sensitivity and responsivity in ASD at the self-reported, behavioral and neural levels, and at describing the relationships between these levels. We refer to sensory sensitivity as the ability to detect sensory stimuli and to sensory responsivity as an affective response to sensory stimuli. Participants were 25 neurotypical and 24 autistic adults. At the self-reported level, autistic participants had higher scores of sensory sensitivity and responsivity than neurotypicals. The behavioral and neural tasks involved contrast-reversing gratings which became progressively (in)visible as their contrast or spatial frequency evolved. At the behavioral level, autistic participants had higher detection and responsivity thresholds when gratings varied in spatial frequency, but their thresholds did not differ from neurotypicals when gratings varied in contrast. At the neural level, we used fast periodic visual stimulations and electroencephalography to implicitly assess detection thresholds for contrast and spatial frequency, and did not reveal any group difference. Higher self-reported responsivity was associated with higher behavioral responsivity, more intolerance of uncertainty and anxiety, in particular in ASD. At the self-reported level, higher sensitivity was associated with more responsivity in both groups, contrary to the behavioral level where these relationships were not found. These heterogeneous results suggest that sensitivity and responsivity per se are not simply increased in ASD, but may be modulated by other factors such as environmental predictability. Multi-level approaches can shed light on the mechanisms underlying sensory issues in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurie-Anne Sapey-Triomphe
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Joke Dierckx
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Sofie Vettori
- Institut des Sciences Cognitives - Marc Jeannerod UMR5229, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique & Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Bron, France
| | - Jaana van Overwalle
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Johan Wagemans
- Department of Brain and Cognition, Leuven Brain Institute, KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
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Gowen E, Earley L, Waheed A, Poliakoff E. From "one big clumsy mess" to "a fundamental part of my character." Autistic adults' experiences of motor coordination. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286753. [PMID: 37267374 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286753] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Altered motor coordination is common in autistic individuals affecting a range of movements such as manual dexterity, eye-hand coordination, balance and gait. However, motor coordination is not routinely assessed leading to undiagnosed and untreated motor coordination difficulties, particularly in adults. Few studies have investigated motor coordination difficulties and their impact from the viewpoint of autistic people. Therefore, the current study used FGs and thematic analysis to document the experience of motor coordination difficulties from the viewpoint of 17 autistic adults. Four main themes were identified. First, motor coordination difficulties were pervasive and variable, being present life-long and within multiple movements and affecting many aspects of life. Furthermore, the nature of the difficulties was variable within and between participants along with differing awareness of coordination ability. Second, participants described motor coordination as an active process, requiring concentration for most actions and at a level seemingly greater than other people. Third, motor coordination difficulties impacted upon social and emotional wellbeing by placing strain on relationships, prompting bullying and exclusion, putting safety at risk and causing a range of negative emotions. Fourth, in the absence of any support, participants described multiple learning and coping strategies. Findings highlight how it is essential to address the current lack of support for motor coordination considering the significant social and emotional consequences described by our participants. Further investigation of motor learning and interactions between sensory and motor performance in autistic adults is also warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emma Gowen
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Louis Earley
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Adeeba Waheed
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Ellen Poliakoff
- Division of Psychology, Communication and Human Neuroscience, School of Health Science, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, The University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, United Kingdom
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9
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Verhulst I, MacLennan K, Haffey A, Tavassoli T. The Perceived Causal Relations Between Sensory Reactivity Differences and Anxiety Symptoms in Autistic Adults. AUTISM IN ADULTHOOD 2022; 4:183-192. [PMID: 36606154 PMCID: PMC9648696 DOI: 10.1089/aut.2022.0018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Rates of anxiety are inordinately high in autistic adults. Sensory reactivity differences, such as hyperreactivity (e.g., strong reactions to sound), hyporeactivity (e.g., no, or slower reactions to pain), and seeking (e.g., fascination with spinning objects), are a diagnostic criterion of autism and have been linked with anxiety. Understanding how individuals perceive these to be causally related can impact the assessment and treatment of anxiety. Therefore, we examined the perceived causal relations (PCR) between sensory reactivity differences and anxiety in autistic adults. Method Two hundred forty-six autistic adults aged 18-76 years took part in an online study. They completed self-report assessments of sensory reactivity differences, and anxiety, followed by the PCR scale, indicating whether they perceived their sensory reactivity differences to be more of a cause or an effect of their anxiety symptoms. Results We found sensory reactivity hyperreactivity, hyporeactivity, and seeking to be significantly correlated with anxiety. Further, we found total sensory hyperreactivity, and visual, auditory, and olfactory hyperreactivity, to be perceived as significantly more of a cause of anxiety than an effect, and total sensory seeking, and tactile and vestibular seeking, to be perceived as significantly more of an effect of anxiety than a cause. Conclusion Future individualized approaches to treating anxiety in autistic individuals may benefit from differentiating between potential sensory causes of anxiety (e.g. hypersensitivities) vs. potential sensory effects of anxiety (e.g. sensory seeking behaviors).
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabelle Verhulst
- Department of Psychology, Royal Holloway, University of London, Egham, United Kingdom
| | - Keren MacLennan
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, The University of Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony Haffey
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, The University of Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
| | - Teresa Tavassoli
- School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, The University of Reading, Berkshire, United Kingdom
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Parmar KR, Porter CS, Dickinson CM, Baimbridge P, Pelham J, Gowen E. Autism-friendly eyecare: Developing recommendations for service providers based on the experiences of autistic adults. Ophthalmic Physiol Opt 2022; 42:675-693. [PMID: 35315935 PMCID: PMC9313607 DOI: 10.1111/opo.12975] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Purpose Autistic people face significant barriers when accessing healthcare services. Eye examinations present unique challenges. Accessibility of this healthcare sector for autistic people has not been investigated previously. The aim of this research was to investigate eye examination accessibility for autistic adults and produce recommendations for autism‐friendly eyecare. Methods Two qualitative studies were conducted. In Study 1, 18 autistic adults took part in focus groups to elicit their eye examination experiences. Transcripts of the recorded discussions were thematically analysed. Study 1 findings were used to design autism‐friendly eye examinations for autistic adults. These were conducted in Study 2. Twenty‐four autistic adults participated in these examinations, during which they were interviewed about their experience and how it might be improved by reasonable modifications. Audio recordings of the interviews were content analysed. Results Knowledge of what to expect, in advance of the eye examination, could greatly reduce anxiety. Participants liked the logical structure of the examination, and the interesting instrumentation used. However, the examination and practice environment did include sensory challenges, due to lights, sound and touch. Changes in practice layout, and interacting with multiple staff members, was anxiety provoking. Participants expressed a need for thorough explanations from the optometrist that outlined the significance of each test, and what the patient was expected to do. Conclusion A number of accessiblity barriers were identified. These suggested that UK eye examinations are not very accessible for autistic adults. Barriers began at the point of booking the appointment and continued through to the dispensing of spectacles. These caused anxiety and stress for this population, but could be reduced with easy‐to‐implement adaptations. Based on the findings, recommendations are presented here for the whole eyecare team which suggest how more autism‐friendly eye examinations can be provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ketan R Parmar
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Catherine S Porter
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Christine M Dickinson
- Division of Pharmacy and Optometry, School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Peter Baimbridge
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | | | - Emma Gowen
- Division of Neuroscience and Experimental Psychology, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
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11
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Hsieh JJ, Nagai Y, Kumagaya SI, Ayaya S, Asada M. Atypical Auditory Perception Caused by Environmental Stimuli in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Approach to the Evaluation of Self-Reports. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:888627. [PMID: 35770058 PMCID: PMC9236639 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.888627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies have revealed that atypical sensory perception is common in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and is considered a potential cause of social difficulties. Self-reports by individuals with ASD have provided great insights into atypical perception from the first-person point of view and indicated its dependence on the environment. This study aimed to investigate the patterns and environmental causes of atypical auditory perception in individuals with ASD. Qualitative data from subject reports are inappropriate for statistical analysis, and reporting subjective sensory experiences is not easy for every individual. To cope with such challenges, we employed audio signal processing methods to simulate the potential patterns of atypical auditory perception. The participants in our experiment were able to select and adjust the strength of the processing methods to manipulate the sounds in the videos to match their experiences. Thus, the strength of atypical perception was recorded quantitatively and then analyzed to assess its correlation with the audio-visual stimuli contained in the videos the participants observed. In total, 22 participants with ASD and 22 typically developed (TD) participants were recruited for the experiment. The results revealed several common patterns of atypical auditory perception: Louder sounds perceived in a quiet environment, noise perception induced by intense and unsteady audio-visual stimuli, and echo perception correlated with movement and variation in sound level. The ASD group reported atypical perceptions more frequently than the control group. However, similar environmental causes were shared by the ASD and TD groups. The results help us infer the potential neural and physiological mechanisms of sensory processing in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyh-Jong Hsieh
- Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yukie Nagai
- International Research Center for Neurointelligence, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan.,Institute for AI and Beyond, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichiro Kumagaya
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Satsuki Ayaya
- Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Minoru Asada
- Institute for Open and Transdisciplinary Research Initiatives, Osaka University, Osaka, Japan.,International Professional University of Technology in Osaka, Osaka, Japan.,Chubu University Academy of Emerging Sciences, Kasugai, Japan.,Center for Information and Neural Networks, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Osaka, Japan
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