Spatial contrast sensitivity in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders.
Adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and typically developing (TD) controls underwent a rigorous psychophysical assessment that measured contrast sensitivity to seven spatial frequencies (0.5-20 cycles/degree). A contrast sensitivity function (CSF) was then fitted for each participant, from which four measures were obtained: visual acuity, peak spatial frequency, peak contrast sensitivity, and contrast sensitivity at a low spatial frequency. There were no group differences on any of the four CSF measures, indicating no differential spatial frequency processing in ASD. Although it has been suggested that detail-oriented visual perception in individuals with ASD may be a result of differential sensitivities to low versus high spatial frequencies, the current study finds no evidence to support this hypothesis.
Koh
Hwan Cui
HC
Department of Psychology, The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, UK.
Milne
Elizabeth
E
Dobkins
Karen
K
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002659:Child Development Disorders, Pervasive / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011581:Psychological Tests; D013028:Space Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014796:Visual Perception / Q000502:physiology; D014888:Wechsler Scales