Face perception and learning in autism spectrum disorders

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairment in social communication and restricted and repetitive interests. While not included in the diagnostic characterization, aspects of face processing and learning have shown disruptions at all stages of development in ASD, although the exact...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Quarterly journal of experimental psychology (2006) 2017-05, Vol.70 (5), p.970-986
Main Authors: Webb, Sara Jane, Neuhaus, Emily, Faja, Susan
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Autism Spectrum Disorder - complications
Autism spectrum disorders
Face
Face attention
Face learning
Face processing
Humans
Learning Disabilities - etiology
Pattern Recognition, Visual - physiology
Perceptual Disorders - etiology
Review
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Summary:Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is characterized by impairment in social communication and restricted and repetitive interests. While not included in the diagnostic characterization, aspects of face processing and learning have shown disruptions at all stages of development in ASD, although the exact nature and extent of the impairment vary by age and level of functioning of the ASD sample as well as by task demands. In this review, we examine the nature of face attention, perception, and learning in individuals with ASD focusing on three broad age ranges (early development, middle childhood, and adolescence/adulthood). We propose that early delays in basic face processing contribute to the atypical trajectory of social communicative skills in individuals with ASD and contribute to poor social learning throughout development. Face learning is a life-long necessity, as the social world of individual only broadens with age, and thus addressing both the source of the impairment in ASD as well as the trajectory of ability throughout the lifespan, through targeted treatments, may serve to positively impact the lives of individuals who struggle with social information and understanding.
ISSN:1747-0218
1747-0226
DOI:10.1080/17470218.2016.1151059