Multiple Object Tracking in Autism Spectrum Disorders
Author(s)
Koldewyn, Kami; Weigelt, Sarah; Kanwisher, Nancy; Jiang, Yuhong
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Difficulties in visual attention are often implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) but it remains unclear which aspects of attention are affected. Here, we used a multiple object tracking (MOT) task to quantitatively characterize dynamic attentional function in children with ASD aged 5–12. While the ASD group performed significantly worse overall, the group difference did not increase with increased object speed. This finding suggests that decreased MOT performance is not due to deficits in dynamic attention but instead to a diminished capacity to select and maintain attention on multiple targets. Further, MOT performance improved from 5 to 10 years in both typical and ASD groups with similar developmental trajectories. These results argue against a specific deficit in dynamic attention in ASD.
Date issued
2012-10Department
Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences; McGovern Institute for Brain Research at MITJournal
Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Citation
Koldewyn, Kami, Sarah Weigelt, Nancy Kanwisher, and Yuhong Jiang. “Multiple Object Tracking in Autism Spectrum Disorders.” Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders 43, no. 6 (October 27, 2012): 1394–1405.
Version: Author's final manuscript
ISSN
0162-3257
1573-3432