Eagle-Eyed Visual Acuity: An Experimental Investigation of Enhanced Perception in Autism

Ashwin, Emma; Ashwin, Chris; Rhydderch, Danielle; Howells, Jessica; Baron‐Cohen, Simon

doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2008.06.012

Cited by 122 publications

(117 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…The exception is a recent study reporting significantly enhanced visual acuity in individuals with ASD (Ashwin, et al, 2009). There are several potential reasons for the discrepancy between the positive visual acuity results of the Ashwin study and the negative results of the current study.…”

Section: Spatial Autism 19 Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Spatial Contrast Sensitivity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Koh

Milne

Dobkins

2010

J Autism Dev Disord

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Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) and typically developing (TD) controls underwent a rigorous psychophysical assessment that measured contrast sensitivity to seven spatial frequencies (0.5 to 20 cycles/degree). A contrast sensitivity function (CSF) was then fitted for each participant, from which four measures were obtained: visual acuity, peak spatial frequency, peak contrast sensitivity, and contrast sensitivity at a low spatial frequency. There were no group differences on any of the four CSF measures, indicating no differential spatial frequency processing in ASD.Although it has been suggested that detail-oriented visual perception in individuals with ASD may be a result of differential sensitivities to low vs. high spatial frequencies, the current study finds no evidence to support this hypothesis.

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Section: Spatial Autism 19 Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Spatial Contrast Sensitivity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Koh

Milne

Dobkins

2010

J Autism Dev Disord

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“…It is estimated that nearly 90% of all children on the autism spectrum suffer from sensory abnormalities, often hypersensitivities, to stimuli that a neurotypical individual could easily ignore (28). These hypersensitivities cannot be explained as outcomes of abnormally enhanced sensation (29)(30)(31).…”

Section: The Pia Hypothesis As a Partial Account Of The Autism Phenotypementioning

confidence: 99%

Autism as a disorder of prediction

Sinha

Kjelgaard

Gandhi

et al. 2014

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

452

414

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A rich collection of empirical findings accumulated over the past three decades attests to the diversity of traits that constitute the autism phenotypes. It is unclear whether subsets of these traits share any underlying causality. This lack of a cohesive conceptualization of the disorder has complicated the search for broadly effective therapies, diagnostic markers, and neural/genetic correlates. In this paper, we describe how theoretical considerations and a review of empirical data lead to the hypothesis that some salient aspects of the autism phenotype may be manifestations of an underlying impairment in predictive abilities. With compromised prediction skills, an individual with autism inhabits a seemingly "magical" world wherein events occur unexpectedly and without cause. Immersion in such a capricious environment can prove overwhelming and compromise one's ability to effectively interact with it. If validated, this hypothesis has the potential of providing unifying insights into multiple aspects of autism, with attendant benefits for improving diagnosis and therapy.probabilistic processing | endophenotype | Markov models | theory | heterogeneity

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“…Ashwin et al 20 and Brosnan et al 21 studied VA in 13 adolescent and adult males with ASD and compared their results with those of 13 adolescent and adult male controls. VA in the ASD group was better (2.85 decimals, 20/7) than controls (1.55 decimals, 20/13).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Tavassoli et al 19 analyzed the VA in adults with ASD and adult controls and found no significant differences between groups. Nevertheless, Ashwin et al 20 analyzed VA in patients with autism spectrum disorder using Freiburg's VA and contrast test. Results showed that PWASD have a significantly better VA (20/7) than those not having this disorder (20/13), and Mark et al 21 also find a better VA in PWASD (20/13) than controls (20/21).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Visual acuity in children with autism spectrum disorder

Liévanos¹,

Cotero²,

Suárez³

et al. 2012

Optometry Rep

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Today, controversy still surrounds the acuity visual (VA) in adolescents and adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). ASD has been associated with hypersensitivity but recent studies have questioned these results. The aim of this study was to compare VA in children with ASD and typically developing children (TD). The study included 34 children: 12 with ASD [people living with (PW) ASD group: 1 female, 11 males] and 22 TD (PWTD group: 9 females, 13 males). The PWASD group was from the Clinica Mexicana de Autismo (CLIMA) and the PWTD group was from the Aztecas elementary school. VA was measured with Kay picture test cards for children without correction. Right eye VA of the PWASD group ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 (0.88±0.23) and left eye VA ranged from 0.2 to 1.0 (0.87±0.23). Right eye VA of the PWTD group ranged from 0.3 and 1.0 (0.84±0.23) and left eye VA ranged 0.3 and 1.0 (0.78±0.22). Non-statistically significant differences were found (t-test, P>0.05). Results support the view that visual acuity is not affected in children with ASD compared with TD children.

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Eagle-Eyed Visual Acuity: An Experimental Investigation of Enhanced Perception in Autism

Cited by 122 publications

References 34 publications

Spatial Contrast Sensitivity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Spatial Contrast Sensitivity in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Autism as a disorder of prediction

Visual acuity in children with autism spectrum disorder

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