Abstract
Eye-tracking studies have demonstrated mixed support for reduced eye fixation when looking at social scenes in individuals
with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). We present evidence that these mixed findings are due to a separate condition—alexithymia—that
is frequently comorbid with ASC. We find that in adults with ASC, autism symptom severity correlated negatively with attention
to faces when watching video clips. However, only the degree of alexithymia, and not autism symptom severity, predicted eye
fixation. As well as potentially resolving the contradictory evidence in this area, these findings suggest that individuals
with ASC and alexithymia may form a sub-group of individuals with ASC, with emotional impairments in addition to the social
impairments characteristic of ASC.
with Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC). We present evidence that these mixed findings are due to a separate condition—alexithymia—that
is frequently comorbid with ASC. We find that in adults with ASC, autism symptom severity correlated negatively with attention
to faces when watching video clips. However, only the degree of alexithymia, and not autism symptom severity, predicted eye
fixation. As well as potentially resolving the contradictory evidence in this area, these findings suggest that individuals
with ASC and alexithymia may form a sub-group of individuals with ASC, with emotional impairments in addition to the social
impairments characteristic of ASC.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10803-011-1183-3
- Authors
- Geoffrey Bird, Division of Psychological Sciences, Birkbeck College, University of London, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX UK
- Clare Press, Wellcome Trust Centre for Neuroimaging, Institute of Neurology, University College London, 12 Queen Square, London, WC1N 3BG UK
- Daniel C. Richardson, Cognitive, Perceptual, and Brain Sciences, Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, 26 Bedford Way, London, WC1H 0AP UK
- Journal Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
- Online ISSN 1573-3432
- Print ISSN 0162-3257