Mechanisms Underlying Face Processing Impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder

 

 

Research Summary:

 

 

Individuals with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) demonstrate a range of face processing impairments relative to typically developing individuals, including poor recognition memory, and discrimination ability.  Despite consensus about the potential impact of these impairments on social functioning, the mechanisms underlying them remain the subject of debate. Theoretical explanations of the deficits currently fall into 2 main camps:

• * those suggesting the problems are specific to the social domain, and

• * those suggesting these face processing problems reflect a broader, domain general impairment.

My PhD research will test specific predictions stemming from these two diverging accounts.  This will include:

• * Examining any differences in the reward values of face and non-face stimuli for children with ASD and their typically developing peers (Hypothesised by the social-motivation account)

• * Investigating a domain general mechanism that has recently been suggested to potentially explain the profile of face-processing impairments in ASD (abnormal adaptive coding)

Why My Research Is Important:

 

 

By testing critical mechanisms and assumptions of existing accounts of the face processing impairments in ASD, I will be increasing our knowledge about the nature of these deficits. 

 

Further, although the motivation for my proposed research is principally theoretical, my results may also have practical implications.  In order to develop targeted, effective interventions, we must first establish the extent to which the face processing impairments arise as a result of reduced interest and experience with faces during development; are a product of more domain-general processing deficit, or some combination of the two accounts. 

 

Clearly these different origins will profoundly influence the recommended course of action to offset their impact.

 

 

Start Date

 

 

March 2007

 

 

Estimated End Date

 

 

March 2011

 

 

Contact Details:

 

 

Louise Ewing

School of Psychology

The University of Western Australia

School of Psychology, M304

University of Western Australia

35 Stirling Highway

CRAWLEY WA 6009

 

Face Lab: room 1.18, Main Psychology Building

Child Study Centre: Office G25

 

Ph: +61 (08) 6488 3573

Fax: (08) 6488 1006

Email: louewing@cyllene.uwa.edu.au