Investigating Differences in Eye-Movement Between Children with ASD and Children with Neurotypical Development
Abstract
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have deficits in social skills; nonetheless, research suggests that a pet can help reduce stress and negative outcomes. Evidence from the literature suggests that there is a correlation between the ability to demonstrate emotion and the ability to understand other’s intentions in order to make the correct assumptions. However, children with ASD lack the ability to understand social cues and make better predictions. This study investigates the eye movement of children with ASD in comparison to children with neurotypical development. Eye-tracking data, including heat maps and eye-movement time-lapses were collected from children with ASD and age matched controls using the Tobii Pro Nano eye-tracker. A tennis ball and a frisbee were presented to the participants via a 50 second video in which a person interacted with a friendly dog. The children were prompted to make three choices during the video stimulus. The collected eye-tracking results show that children with ASD responded positively to the dog, the human, and their interaction. The data revealed the children’s purposeful eye movement while watching the dog and its human companion; there was no significant difference in eye movement between the two groups of children F(2, 10)= 1.65, p= 0.296. These results suggest that children with ASD may be able to hold personal interactions when a companion animal is present; as a whole, improving their social interaction abilities similarly to children without ASD. Although the data results are preliminary, they can inform eye-tracking studies designed for children with ASD.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Gesulla Cavanaugh
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-6-2021 12:00 PM
End Date
4-9-2021 12:00 PM
Investigating Differences in Eye-Movement Between Children with ASD and Children with Neurotypical Development
Alvin Sherman Library
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) have deficits in social skills; nonetheless, research suggests that a pet can help reduce stress and negative outcomes. Evidence from the literature suggests that there is a correlation between the ability to demonstrate emotion and the ability to understand other’s intentions in order to make the correct assumptions. However, children with ASD lack the ability to understand social cues and make better predictions. This study investigates the eye movement of children with ASD in comparison to children with neurotypical development. Eye-tracking data, including heat maps and eye-movement time-lapses were collected from children with ASD and age matched controls using the Tobii Pro Nano eye-tracker. A tennis ball and a frisbee were presented to the participants via a 50 second video in which a person interacted with a friendly dog. The children were prompted to make three choices during the video stimulus. The collected eye-tracking results show that children with ASD responded positively to the dog, the human, and their interaction. The data revealed the children’s purposeful eye movement while watching the dog and its human companion; there was no significant difference in eye movement between the two groups of children F(2, 10)= 1.65, p= 0.296. These results suggest that children with ASD may be able to hold personal interactions when a companion animal is present; as a whole, improving their social interaction abilities similarly to children without ASD. Although the data results are preliminary, they can inform eye-tracking studies designed for children with ASD.
