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Eye Tracking Young Children with Autism
Published on: March 27, 2012
Identifying prognostic markers in autism spectrum disorder using eye tracking
Elizabeth C Bacon1, Adrienne Moore1, Quimby Lee1
1University of California San Diego, USA.
Insights
Early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) detection shows promise for prognosis. Toddlers preferring geometric images had higher symptom severity later, suggesting eye tracking can predict outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Developmental psychology
- Neuroscience
- Clinical psychology
Background:
- Early detection of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing, but prognostic markers for young children are lacking.
- Child brain development is influenced by attention, which can be measured using eye-tracking technology.
- Eye tracking offers potential for identifying early prognostic indicators in ASD.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if early eye-tracking preferences in toddlers with ASD predict later school-age outcomes.
- To determine the prognostic value of the GeoPref Test for symptom severity, social functioning, adaptive behavior, joint attention, and IQ.
Main Methods:
- 49 children aged 1-3 years with ASD completed the GeoPref Test (eye-tracking).
- Participants underwent a comprehensive assessment battery between ages 5-9 years.
- Statistical analyses examined the predictive relationship between early eye-tracking data and later outcomes.
Main Results:
- Toddlers with a higher preference for geometric images showed increased symptom severity at school age.
- These children also exhibited fewer gaze shifts.
- No significant relationship was found between early visual preference and later IQ or adaptive behavior.
Conclusions:
- The GeoPref Test shows potential as a prognostic tool for symptom severity in early-detected ASD.
- Further development of eye-tracking paradigms could enhance prognostic accuracy and treatment validation.
Abstract:
While many children with autism spectrum disorder are now detected at young ages given the rise in screening and general awareness, little is known regarding the prognosis of early detected children. The brain is shaped by experience-dependent mechanisms; thus, what a child pays attention to plays a pivotal role in shaping brain development. Eye tracking can provide an index of a child's visual attention and, as such, holds promise as a technology for revealing prognostic markers. In this, 49 children aged 1-3 years with autism spectrum disorder participated in an eye-tracking test, the GeoPref Test, that revealed preference for social versus nonsocial images. Next, children participated in a comprehensive test battery 5-9 years following the initial GeoPref Test. Statistical tests examined whether early age eye tracking predicted later school-age outcomes in symptom severity, social functioning, adaptive behavior, joint attention, and IQ. Results indicated that toddlers with higher preference for geometric images demonstrated greater symptom severity and fewer gaze shifts at school age. This relationship was not found in relation to IQ or adaptive behavior. Overall, the GeoPref Test holds promise as a symptom severity prognostic tool; further development of eye-tracking paradigms may enhance prognostic power and prove valuable in validating treatment progress.
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