Brief Report: Preliminary Evidence of Reduced Sensitivity in the Peripheral Visual Field of Adolescents with Autistic Spectrum Disorder

Abstract

A number of studies have demonstrated atypical perception in individuals with ASD. However, the majority of these studies have presented stimuli to central vision. The aim of the study presented here was to test the sensitivity of peripheral vision in ASD. This was achieved by asking participants to detect brief flashes of light presented between 30 and 85 degrees away from fixation. We found that participants with ASD detected fewer ligh-flashes than the control participants. This deficit was more pronounced in the nasal hemifield than the temporal hemifield. We suggest that the imbalance between nasal and temporal hemifield sensitivity may contribute to the peripheral-field stimulation and lateral glances that are observed in ASD.