title: Visuo-spatial performance in autism: a meta-analysis.
abstract: Visuo-spatial skills are believed to be enhanced in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). This meta-analysis tests the current state of evidence for Figure Disembedding, Block Design, Mental Rotation and Navon tasks in ASD and neurotypicals. Block Design (d = 0.32) and Figure Disembedding (d = 0.26) showed superior performance for ASD with large heterogeneity that is unaccounted for. No clear differences were found for Mental Rotation. ASD samples showed a stronger local processing preference for Navon tasks (d = 0.35); less clear evidence for performance differences of a similar magnitude emerged. We discuss the meta-analysis results together with other findings relating to visuo-spatial processing and three cognitive theories of ASD: Weak Central Coherence, Enhanced Perceptual Functioning and Extreme Male Brain theory.
authors.affiliation: School of Psychology, Bangor University, Adeilad Brigantia, Penrallt Road, Bangor, LL57 2AS, UK, A.Muth@Bangor.ac.uk.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Muth
authors.forename: Johannes
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hönekopp
authors.forename: Christine M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Falter
mesh_terms: D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance