Study: Autistic children lack certain visual skills

By Staff Writer

Researchers from the University of Bristol in the UK have determined that children who have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may lack certain visual skills that are typically needed to be independent in adulthood.

The study, which appears in the December 20 edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, revealed that the autistic kids require more time to recognize visual patterns. Researchers tested 20 children who have an ASD and 20 kids who did not have a developmental disorder. Each child was asked to press buttons in order to find a hidden target among multiple illuminated locations in a room.

Researchers concluded that some individuals with the disorder may not be able to work effectively and systematically in tasks that allow adults to function. Previous theories have suggested that autistic children are more responsive to physical stimuli within a system, but the University of Bristol study noted more chaotic and less systematic behavior.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that an average of one in 110 children in the U.S. have an ASD.