Bottein, Lucile;
Hamilton, Antonia F de C;
(2024)
Patterns of Gaze Behavior During Live Interactions in Adults and Adolescents with Autism or High Autistic Traits: A Systematic Review.
Autism in Adulthood
10.1089/aut.2023.0201.
(In press).
Preview |
Text
Bottein_AiA_2024.pdf - Accepted Version Download (342kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Background: Differences in social gaze are part of the diagnostic criteria for autism spectrum condition (ASC), but most studies examining gaze in individuals with autism or high autistic traits use computerized methods that bear little resemblance to authentic conversations. Progress in eye tracking now allows the use of live interaction paradigms. We report a systematic review of this emerging literature. Methods: Using a combination of academic search engines (Google Scholar, OVID, Connected Papers) and backwards citation searches, we identified fourteen studies that explored social gaze in adults and adolescents with autistic traits or an ASC diagnosis, using a live or believed-to-be-live interaction and modern eye-tracking technology. Results: Studies showed mixed results: when gaze is localized to broad regions (face, body, and background), patterns appear similar in all participants. However, when gaze is localized to precise regions (eyes, mouth, and nose) more group differences exist. Specifically, gaze to the eyes seems somewhat consistently reduced in individuals with autism or autistic traits. However, these participants appear to modulate their gaze according to contextual factors, similar to typically developing individuals (e.g., looking less toward the face when speaking than listening). Conclusion: We discuss these results in relation to two dominant theories of autism: low social motivation and aversion to the eyes. The finding that individuals with autism or autistic traits seem to specifically avoid the eyes but show facial orienting and gaze modulation similar to typically developing individuals lends supplemental support to aversive rather than motivational theories of ASC.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | Patterns of Gaze Behavior During Live Interactions in Adults and Adolescents with Autism or High Autistic Traits: A Systematic Review |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1089/aut.2023.0201 |
| Publisher version: | https://doi.org/10.1089/aut.2023.0201 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | This version is the author accepted manuscript. For information on re-use, please refer to the publisher’s terms and conditions. |
| Keywords: | ATYPICAL GAZE, autism, autistic traits, CHILDREN, DUAL FUNCTION, eye tracking, EYE-TRACKING, FACES, gaze, INDIVIDUALS, Life Sciences & Biomedicine, Psychology, Psychology, Developmental, Rehabilitation, Science & Technology, SOCIAL ATTENTION, Social Sciences, SPECTRUM DISORDER |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences > Div of Psychology and Lang Sciences > Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/10204807 |
Archive Staff Only
 |
View Item |
