Simulating social interaction to address deficits of autistic spectrum disorder in children.
Autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) is diagnosed on the basis of impairment in reciprocal social interaction and language, and rigidity of behavior. This brief paper describes the development of an experimental intervention for preschool children newly diagnosed with ASD. The rationale for this intervention is the hypothesis that failure to attend to social cues in very early life, of itself, may bear a large share of responsibility for core social and communicative deficits. The intervention, therefore, uses eye-tracking to monitor and trigger rewards for attention to facial expression and direction of gaze.
Trepagnier
Cheryl Y
CY
Department of Psychology, The Catholic University of America, Washington, DC 20064, USA. trepagnier@CUA.edu
Sebrechts
Marc M
MM
Finkelmeyer
Andreas
A
Stewart
Willie
W
Woodford
Jordana
J
Coleman
Maya
M
D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002985:Clinical Protocols; D003198:Computer Simulation; D018479:Early Intervention, Educational / Q000379:methods; D005133:Eye Movements; D005149:Facial Expression; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D012107:Research Design; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface