Auditory Global-Local Processing in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Atypical sensory processing has been recognized as a notable characteristic in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). While visual global-local processing in ASD has been widely studied, understanding of auditory processing across global and local levels remains less defined. To clarify the mixed findings in the literature, we conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis and searched for potential factors that might explain the heterogeneity of previous studies. Our thorough search across four electronic databases up to 2025 identified 25 eligible studies for quantitative synthesis, focusing on comparisons of auditory global-local pitch processing between individuals with ASD and typically developing peers. Our findings indicated that the pooled effect size (Hedges' g = -0.05) for global pitch processing was not statistically significant, whereas there was a significant, albeit modest, pooled effect size (Hedges' g = 0.29) for local pitch processing. Significant moderators influencing global pitch processing included the number of answer choices, language typology, and participants' vocabulary size, while inconsistencies in local pitch processing outcomes were associated with the vocabulary size of autistic participants and variations in task paradigms employed. Overall, this meta-analysis supports the notion that individuals with ASD tend to prefer local pitch processing without apparent deficits in global processing abilities, aligning with the Enhanced Perceptual Functioning model. These findings contribute to our understanding of auditory processing differences in ASD, and offer implications for targeted interventions and further research directions.