Comparing visual preferences between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and normal children to explore the characteristics of visual preference of ASD children by improved visual preference paradigm: a case-control study

Abstract

Background: One of features of Visual preference in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is that they tend to social stimuli to nonsocial stimuli. Though it has been studied widely, until now the results are still not consistent. One of the most important reasons may be that the stimuli of the past visual preference paradigm have different movement patterns. Therefore, the present study aimed to improve the visual preference paradigm to reduce the bias caused by different movement of stimuli and explore the features of visual preference of ASD further. Methods: Two hundred and seven children who met DSM-5 criteria for ASD and 125 typically developmental (TD) children were enrolled. They were matched in age and gender. Visual preference was measured by eye tracking technology. The subjects presented simultaneously with dynamic object images (DOI) and dynamic social images (DSI) with the same type and same speed of repetitive movement. Social interaction deficits of ASD were assessed by parents with Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC). Results: Compared with TD children, the following findings were noted: (I) children with ASD paid less attention to social stimuli and more attention to nonsocial stimuli (t=6.417, P<0.001). (II) Increased preference to DSI was positively correlated with age (R=0.23, P=0.001). (III) No association was noted between visual preference and IQ in children with ASD (R=0.081, P=0.435). (IV) Reduced preference to DSI was negatively correlated with the severity of social interaction impairment rated by parents with ABC in children with ASD (R=0.237, P=0.010).Conclusions: Children with ASD exhibited abnormal visual preference for social and nonsocial stimuli.

Functional connectivity of the sensorimotor cerebellum in autism: associations with sensory over-responsivity

“…Moreover, more severe SOR was additionally associated with weaker functional connectivity between the sensorimotor cerebellum and crus I and II, the part of the cerebellum that is particularly implicated in socio-emotional function ( 34 , 81 , 82 ). Taken together, these findings suggest that reduced sensorimotor cerebellum connectivity with supramodal regions – important to cognition and emotional processing – as well as increased connectivity with sensorimotor cortex, may contribute to SOR experiences in ASD, and are in line with research demonstrating heightened allocation of mental resources to sensory information, sometimes at the expense of processing other types of information, in autism (e.g., 83 , 84 ).…”

Prefrontal Cortex Responses to Social Video Stimuli in Young Children with and without Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Furthermore, behavioral studies of preferences for social and nonsocial stimuli show that individuals with ASD have lower preferences for social than nonsocial stimuli, while TD peer preferences vary across studies [16,69,70]. For instance, when comparing preferences between social and nonsocial stimuli, TD children presented similar preferences, while the ASD group presented preferences for nonsocial stimuli [15].…”

Physical Activity Design for Balance Rehabilitation in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder

“…Positive effects were observed under the influence of exercises that required complex coordination and balance rehabilitation regarding improvements in postural control. According to [ 37 ] and Moseley and Pulvermüller [ 38 ], structural changes in ASD patients’ brains may lead to a number of subtle deficits in motor control, including postural instability, which may eventually interfere with social and cognitive development by reducing opportunities to explore and interact with people and the environment. Brain plasticity is the main property that is involved [ 38 , 39 ].…”