Children with potential ASD prefer predictable movements

Children with potential ASD prefer predictable movements

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) often experience impairments in social communication and engage in restricted and repetitive behaviors (RRBs). Early identification of these symptoms is critical for timely intervention, but detecting RRBs in particular remains challenging. Previous studies using eye-tracking methods have shown that children with ASD tend to prefer non-social stimuli over social stimuli, a preference consistent with ASD symptoms. The developmental timeline of this preference—particularly in relation to repetitive and random movements—is poorly understood. Research has shown that children with ASD spend more time observing repetitive movements, a key feature of RRBs, but the underlying reasons for this preference and the way it develops over time remain unclear. This gap in understanding presents a significant challenge to accurately diagnosing and treating the sensory and behavioral characteristics associated with ASD in young children.

To address this gap, a recent study conducted by Associate Professor Mikimasa Omori of the Faculty of Human Sciences, WASEDA University to examine the developmental timeline of children's preferences for repetition versus random movements used eye-tracking methods. The study used a preferred-looking paradigm to examine whether children with potential ASD showed longer observation durations for predictable movements compared to typically developing (TD) children. Participants were presented with pairs of geometric stimuli with predictable (one-beat sketch) and unpredictable (multi-beat sketch) movements (one-beat sketch), which were freely observed side by side. An article describing this research was published inScientific reportson February 7, 2025.

“This study found that children with potential ASD spent significantly more time observing predictable movements" says Omori. In contrast to the TD children, who showed no shift in their observation patterns, children with potential ASD showed a gradual increase in their focus on the predictable movements over the course of stimulus presentation. This suggests that children with potential ASD may develop a preference for predictable movements over time, leading to a selection of the children with the potential of the REPTISITISIS MOBLECTIABLE movement. may have difficulty in Learning causes must be connected, cause-effect relationships between movement trajectories and the expectation of complete forms.

Currently, early detection of ASD typically focuses on social communication deficits such as eye contact and language delays. However, identifying a preference for predictable movements could serve as an early indicator of ASD in children as young as three years old. “This approach could be particularly valuable for children who are underdiagnosed until later in childhood and provide a more efficient method for early detection"Explains Omori. Additionally, the study's procedure, which does not require verbal responses, could be adapted for children under 18 months. Given that most children in Japan undergo developmental screening at 18 and 36 months, this could help.

Overall, the study contributes to our understanding of how sensory and behavioral characteristics manifest with ASD in young children. The study's use of eye-tracking methods provides valuable insight into the way children with ASD engage and engage with repetitive versus random stimuli, a key aspect of their RRBs. “This study highlights the potential utility of predictable motion stimuli as behavioral markers for early ASD screening and underscores the essential need for further“Finally, Omori.

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