Facial Expression Databases and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Clinical Psychology

Background:

• Emotion recognition (ER) deficits are a recognized characteristic in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
• Research has explored various conditions and interventions to improve ER in individuals with ASD, primarily children.
• Facial expression databases are crucial tools in this research area.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct a scoping review summarizing diverse research on ER in ASD.
• To focus on the facial expression databases utilized in ER research and interventions for ASD.
• To identify research gaps and suggest future directions.

Main Methods:

• Followed PRISMA-ScR guidelines for the scoping review.
• Searched electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed) with predefined criteria.
• Selected 80 studies for analysis, focusing on sample characteristics, findings, and databases used.

Main Results:

• Studies predominantly used small samples, mostly children with ASD and matched controls.
• Findings on facial ER in ASD are mixed; deficits are common, but performance can be adequate under specific conditions.
• Interventions demonstrated positive outcomes, enhancing ER abilities in children with ASD.
• Commonly used facial expression databases are Western-developed and validated.

Conclusions:

• While ER deficits in ASD are prevalent, performance varies with stimuli and conditions.
• Interventions offer a promising avenue for improving ER in children with ASD.
• A need exists for diverse and culturally relevant facial expression databases in ASD research.