The use of a tablet-based app for investigating the influence of autistic and ADHD traits on performance in a complex drawing task

Abstract

This paper describes a smart tablet-based drawing app to digitally record participants’ engagement with the Rey-Osterrieth complex figure (ROCF) task, a well-characterised perceptual memory task that assesses local and global memory. Digitisation of the tasks allows for improved ecological validity, especially in children attracted to tablet devices. Further, digital translation of the tasks affords new measures, including accuracy and computation of the fine motor control kinematics employed to carry out the drawing Here, we report a feasibility study to test the relationship between two neurodevelopmental conditions: autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). The smart tablet app was employed with 39 adult participants (18-35) characterised for autistic and ADHD traits, and scored using the ROCF perceptual and organisational scoring systems. Trait scores and conditions were predictor variables in linear regression models. Positive correlations were found between the attention-to-detail, attention-switching and communication subscales of the autistic trait questionnaire and organisational scores on the ROCF task. These findings suggest that autistic traits might be linked to differential performance on the ROCF task. Novelty and future applications of the app are discussed.

A novel tablet-based motor coordination test performs on par with the Beery VMI subtest and offers superior temporal metrics: findings from children with pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome

“…In fact, research has shown that tablet-based tests have the potential to eventually replace paper-based tests (Bignardi et al 2021 ). For example, the tablet-based ROCF has been successfully implemented in adolescents (Hyun et al 2018 ) and adults (Savickaite, Morrison, Lux, Delafield-Butt and Simmons 2022 ), with the noticeable addition of features related to the timing of the task execution. Another example is Howe et al ( 2017 ) who presented a computerized perceptual-motor skills assessment, which included paths similar to the VMI MC, but on a tablet using a stylus.…”