Abstract
Sensory issues are widely reported in Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). Since taste perception is one of the least studied
senses in ASC we explored taste identification in adults with ASC (12 males, 11 females) compared to control participants
(14 males, 12 females). ‘Taste strips’ were used to measure taste identification overall, as well as bitter, sour, sweet and
salty tastes. Results revealed lower taste scores overall in the ASC group, as well as for bitter, sour and sweet tastes.
Salty taste scores did not differ between the groups. Examining error types showed that adults with ASC more often misidentified
a taste as salty or as no taste. Future studies should investigate underlying mechanisms of taste identification difficulties
in ASC.
senses in ASC we explored taste identification in adults with ASC (12 males, 11 females) compared to control participants
(14 males, 12 females). ‘Taste strips’ were used to measure taste identification overall, as well as bitter, sour, sweet and
salty tastes. Results revealed lower taste scores overall in the ASC group, as well as for bitter, sour and sweet tastes.
Salty taste scores did not differ between the groups. Examining error types showed that adults with ASC more often misidentified
a taste as salty or as no taste. Future studies should investigate underlying mechanisms of taste identification difficulties
in ASC.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Paper
- Pages 1-6
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1377-8
- Authors
- T. Tavassoli, Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18 b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
- S. Baron-Cohen, Department of Psychiatry, Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, Douglas House, 18 b Trumpington Road, Cambridge, CB2 8AH UK
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257