Atypical Face Process in Autism Spectrum Disorder and Relevant Interventions

Abstract

The current study overviewed previous research on abnormalities in face processing in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and concluded implications on development of relevant social skill interventions. Overall, autistic individuals exhibited deviated neural activity patterns during face processing across different ages, suggesting that atypical development of neural structures might be accountable for deficits in social functioning. Similarly, familial studies found no significant variations in neural activity patterns for high-risk family members, providing insufficient evidence for the inheritance of autism. Although neural activity indices might not be effective as biomarkers for early life diagnosis, researchers could use these indicators to predict the extent of social impairment for patients in later life stages. Social functioning programs based on facial processing schemes had a significant training effect on young patients, but further testing trials are required to estimate their impact on patients social behaviors in real life. This review can provide some guidance for the design of intervention programs at schools for children with ASD.