The Effects of Face Expertise Training on the Behavioral Performance and Brain Activity of Adults with High Functioning Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

The effect of expertise training with faces was studied in adults with ASD who showed initial impairment in face recognition. Participants were randomly assigned to a computerized training program involving either faces or houses. Pre- and post-testing included standardized and experimental measures of behavior and event-related brain potentials (ERPs), as well as interviews after training. After training, all participants met behavioral criteria for expertise with the specific stimuli on which they received training. Scores on standardized measures improved after training for both groups, but only the face training group showed an increased face inversion effect behaviorally and electrophysiological changes to faces in the P100 component. These findings suggest that individuals with ASD can gain expertise in face processing through training.

Using neuroscience as an outcome measure for behavioral interventions in Autism spectrum disorders (ASD): A review

“…Neural effects of behavioral intervention in autism spectrum disorders To our knowledge, there are only four published studies that explore the neural correlates of behavioral intervention designed to target core symptoms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) (Dawson et al, 2012;Van Hecke et al, 2015;Ventola et al, 2014;Voos et al, 2013). Ventola et al (2014) and Voos et al (2013) used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and measured brain activity both prior to and after intervention.…”

“…Van Hecke et al (2015) used electrophysiology and measured spectral power both prior to and after intervention. Dawson et al (2012) used electrophysiology and measured brain activity at post-treatment only. We review each of these studies below (see Table 1).…”

“…We review each of these studies below (see Table 1). Dawson et al (2012) conducted a randomized controlled trial in order to investigate the efficacy of the Early Start Denver Model (ESDM). ESDM is a comprehensive, manualized behavioral intervention for toddlers with ASD that utilizes both applied behavior analysis (ABA) and relationship-based approaches (Dawson et al, 2010).…”

“…Although these results suggest that ESDM may lead to "normalization" of attention to social stimuli in ASD versus community interventions, Dawson et al (2012) did not include a pre-treatment EEG measurement, which makes it difficult to draw conclusions about how participation in ESDM may alter brain activity on an individual level.…”

“…Similarly, of the studies that included a TD group, none of them measured brain activity of the TD group at both pre-and post-test. Van Hecke et al (2015), Ventola et al (2014), and Bolte et al (2015) measured the TD group at baseline only, and Dawson et al (2012) measured both the TD and ASD groups at post-test only. Finally, none of the studies above included a follow-up period to explore whether changes persisted over time.…”