Exploring how material cues drive sensorimotor prediction across different levels of autistic-like traits

Tom Arthur,Sam Vine,Mark Brosnan,Gavin Buckingham

doi:10.1007/s00221-019-05586-z

Tom Arthur, Sam Vine + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-019-05586-z

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Abstract

Recent research proposes that sensorimotor difficulties, such as those experienced by many autistic people, may arise from atypicalities in prediction. Accordingly, we examined the relationship between non-clinical autistic-like traits and sensorimotor prediction in the material-weight illusion, where prior expectations derived from material cues typically bias one’s perception and action. Specifically, prediction-related tendencies in perception of weight, gaze patterns, and lifting actions were probed using a combination of self-report, eye-tracking, motion-capture, and force-based measures. No prediction-related associations between autistic-like traits and sensorimotor control emerged for any of these variables. Follow-up analyses, however, revealed that greater autistic-like traits were correlated with reduced adaptation of gaze with changes in environmental uncertainty. These findings challenge proposals of gross predictive atypicalities in autistic people, but suggest that the dynamic integration of prior information and environmental statistics may be related to autistic-like traits. Further research into this relationship is warranted in autistic populations, to assist the development of future movement-based coaching methods.

Highlights

Sensorimotor atypicalities are increasingly being viewed as ‘cardinal’ feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which impact on lifelong living proficiencies, social development, and quality of life (Fournier et al 2010; Gowen and Hamilton 2013)
Missing Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ) items (0.04%) were replaced using scale mean imputation and participants (n = 4) with > 10% of incomplete data were excluded from analysis
Manipulation checks indicated that prior expectations of object weight biased both perception and action (Fig. 2), permitting scrutiny into whether prediction-related tendencies are inherently related to autistic-like traits

Summary

Introduction

Sensorimotor atypicalities are increasingly being viewed as ‘cardinal’ feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), which impact on lifelong living proficiencies, social development, and quality of life (Fournier et al 2010; Gowen and Hamilton 2013). Movement-related difficulties are experienced by most autistic people (for review, see Gowen and Hamilton 2013), with postural abnormalities, sensory hypersensitivities, and impairments in skills requiring gross and/or fine motor co-ordination all commonplace (Fournier et al 2010). Movement-based difficulties in autism may underpin reduced motivation and participation in physical activity (Leary and Hill 1996; Scharoun et al 2017) These difficulties can precede, and even predict various aptitudes in childhood and adult life (e.g., daily living skills, social skills, Jasmin et al 2009; Brandwein et al 2015). Research into the aetiology and management of these abilities is demanded both by academics (Gowen and Hamilton 2013) and the autism community (Pellicano et al 2014)

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