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Testing Sensory and Multisensory Function in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Published on: April 22, 2015
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Visual-Tactile Speech Perception and the Autism Quotient.
Donald Derrick1,2, Katie Bicevskis3, Bryan Gick4,5
1New Zealand Institute of Language, Brain, and Behaviour, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand.
Frontiers in Communication
|February 2, 2022
Summary
Individuals with higher autistic traits show wider visual-tactile integration windows in speech perception. This suggests that neurotypical individuals rely more on precise timing for multisensory speech accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Multisensory integration
- Speech perception
- Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Background:
- Multisensory information is integrated asymmetrically in speech perception, with audio-visual integration windows differing based on signal modality.
- Previous research indicates wider perceptual integration windows in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and during development.
- Asymmetric integration windows are often attributed to the physical properties of sensory signals, such as the speed of light, sound, and air flow.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between autistic traits and visual-tactile integration windows in speech perception among neurotypical adults.
- To determine if the Autism Quotient (AQ) influences the perception of speech sounds when combined with tactile air puffs.
- To test the hypothesis that neurotypical individuals rely more on precise temporal accuracy for multisensory speech perception.
Main Methods:
- Participants watched silent videos of 'ba' or 'pa' syllables while receiving light, inaudible air puffs to the neck.
- Air puffs were presented synchronously or asynchronously relative to the visual plosive release burst (lip opening).
- Participants' Autism Quotient (AQ) was assessed using a self-report measure.
Main Results:
- The perception of syllables as 'pa' was enhanced by air puffs, particularly when presented 50-100ms after lip opening.
- Perceptual integration windows were wider and flatter with increasing AQ scores, indicating less dependence on precise timing.
- Integration reliance on temporal accuracy was lower in individuals with higher AQ scores.
Conclusions:
- Visual-tactile integration windows in speech perception are wider and less sensitive to temporal discrepancies in individuals with higher autistic traits.
- Neurotypical perceivers demonstrate greater reliance on event-related accuracy for integrating tactile information in visual speech perception.
- Findings support the weak coherence account of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), suggesting differences in how sensory information is integrated.
Keywords:
audio-tactile perceptionautism spectrum disordersmultimodal speech perceptionmultisensory speech perceptionspeech perceptionMore Related Videos
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