A computational study of expressive facial dynamics in children with autism

Several studies have established that facial expressions of children with autism are often perceived as atypical, awkward or less engaging by typical adult observers. Despite this clear deficit in the quality of facial expression production, very little is understood about its underlying mechanisms and characteristics. This paper takes a computational approach to studying details of facial expressions of children with high functioning autism (HFA). The objective is to uncover those characteristics of facial expressions, notably distinct from those in typically developing children, and which are otherwise difficult to detect by visual inspection. We use motion capture data obtained from subjects with HFA and typically developing subjects while they produced various facial expressions. This data is analyzed to investigate how the overall and local facial dynamics of children with HFA differ from their typically developing peers. Our major observations include reduced complexity in the dynamic facial behavior of the HFA group arising primarily from the eye region

Motion-capture patterns of dynamic facial expressions in children and adolescents with and without ASD

Research shows that neurotypical individuals struggle to interpret the emotional facial expressions of people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The current study uses motion-capture to objectively quantify differences between the movement patterns of emotional facial expressions of individuals with and without ASD. Participants volitionally mimicked emotional expressions while wearing facial markers. Recorded marker movement was grouped by expression valence and intensity. We used Growth Curve Analysis to test whether movement patterns were predictable by expression type and participant group. Results show significant interactions between expression type and group, and little effect of emotion valence on ASD expressions. Together, results support perceptions that expressions of individuals with ASD are different from -- and more ambiguous than -- those of neurotypical individuals’

Through the Eyes of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

The latest findings in neuroscience show that the brain of the child with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) deviates from the typical development path since the prenatal period. We know that the mutation of certain genes alters the maturational trajectory of synaptic connections during early development, a period of maximum vulnerability in which the formation of neuronal circuits is highly plastic and depends on both genetic and environmental factors. A better understanding of the neurobiological bases of ASD will draw bridges, until recently insurmountable, between neuronal circuits and atypical behaviors in the classroom. In addition, it will allow us to better explore which are the critical periods of development where the intervention, both clinical and educational, in the child with ASD may be more effective.Los últimos hallazgos en neurociencia muestran que el cerebro del niño con trastorno del espectro autista (TEA) se desvía de la ruta típica del desarrollo ya desde el período prenatal. Sabemos que la mutación de ciertos genes altera la trayectoria madurativa de las conexiones sinápticas durante el desarrollo temprano, un periodo de máxima vulnerabilidad en el que la formación de circuitos neuronales es altamente plástica y dependiente tanto de factores genéticos como ambientales. Una mejor comprensión de las bases neurobiológicas del TEA trazará puentes, hasta hace poco insalvables, entre los circuitos neuronales y los comportamientos atípicos en el aula. Además, nos permitirá explorar mejor cuáles son los periodos críticos del desarrollo donde la intervención, tanto clínica como educativa, en el niño con TEA puede resultar más eficaz

Facial expressions of emotions in autism spectrum disorder (ASD): production, recognition and effects of Covid-19 pandemic

openNel presente elaborato è stata effettuata un'analisi della letteratura esistente relativamente alla produzione e al riconoscimento delle espressioni facciali delle emozioni negli individui con autismo. Si è potuto osservare come la produzione delle espressioni facciali dipenda sia dalla presenza di determinate strutture cerebrali (aree motorie e premotorie, aree legate all'empatia quali l'insula e parti della corteccia frontale e prefrontale per la modulazione delle espressioni) che dai muscoli effettori del viso. Particolarmente importante risulta essere la dominanza dell'emisfero destro per l'espressività facciale. Per quanto concerne il riconoscimento, invece, risulta rilevante l'attività del circuito dei neuroni specchio, implicato nei processi di mimicry e dal quale dipende in gran parte la capacità degli esseri umani di comunicare e instaurare legami profondi con gli altri. Nell'autismo sono presenti sia dei deficit strutturali a livello cerebrale, i quali comportano una produzione di espressioni spesso atipiche e meccaniche, che delle peculiarità comportamentali (quali, ad esempio, la tendenza a non focalizzare l'attenzione sugli occhi dell'interlocutore). Tutto ciò si traduce in una significativa compromissione delle abilità di interazione sociale negli individui con autismo. Tale difficoltà è inoltre accentuata dalla recente introduzione dell'utilizzo delle mascherine facciali come forma di contenimento della diffusione del Covid-19, in quanto parte del volto risulta essere coperta da tali dispositivi e dunque si rende inutilizzabile come fonte di informazione sulle emozioni esperite dall'altro

Sensorimotor Differences in Autism Spectrum Disorder: An evaluation of potential mechanisms.

This thesis examined the aetiology of sensorimotor impairments in Autism Spectrum Disorder: a neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual’s socio-behavioural preferences, personal independence, and quality of life. Issues relating to clumsiness and movement coordination are common features of autism that contribute to wide-ranging daily living difficulties. However, these characteristics are relatively understudied and there is an absence of evidence-based practical interventions. To pave the way for new, scientifically-focused programmes, a series of studies investigated the mechanistic underpinnings of sensorimotor differences in autism. Following a targeted review of previous research, study one explored links between autistic-like traits and numerous conceptually-significant movement control functions. Eye-tracking analyses were integrated with force transducers and motion capture technology to examine how participants interacted with uncertain lifting objects. Upon identifying a link between autistic-like traits and context-sensitive predictive action control, study two replicated these procedures with a sample of clinically-diagnosed participants. Results illustrated that autistic people are able to use predictions to guide object interactions, but that uncertainty-related adjustments in sensorimotor integration are atypical. Such findings were advanced within a novel virtual-reality paradigm in study three, which systematically manipulated environmental uncertainty during naturalistic interception actions. Here, data supported proposals that precision weighting functions are aberrant in autistic people, and suggested that these individuals have difficulties with processing volatile sensory information. These difficulties were not alleviated by the experimental provision of explicit contextual cues in study four. Together, these studies implicate the role of implicit neuromodulatory mechanisms that regulate dynamic sensorimotor behaviours. Results support the development of evidence-based programmes that ‘make the world more predictable’ for autistic people, with various theoretical and practical implications presented. Possible applications of these findings are discussed in relation to recent multi-disciplinary research and conceptual advances in the field, which could help improve daily living skills and functional quality of life.Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC