TY - JOUR
T1 - Brief report: the relationship between visual acuity, the embedded figures test and systemizing in autism spectrum disorders
AU - Brosnan, Mark J
AU - Gwilliam, L R
AU - Walker, Ian
PY - 2012/11/1
Y1 - 2012/11/1
N2 - Enhanced performance upon the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has informed psychological theories of the non-social aspects that characterise ASD. The Extreme Male Brain theory of autism proposes that enhanced visual acuity underpins greater attention to detail (assessed by the EFT) which is a prerequisite for Systemizing. To date, however, no study has empirically examined these relationships. 13 males with ASD and 13 male controls were assessed upon tasks argued to reflect these levels of processing. The ASD group were found to have significantly greater visual acuity, EFT performance and Systemizing ability than the control group. However, regression analysis revealed that the strongest relationship was between visual acuity and EFT performance.
AB - Enhanced performance upon the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has informed psychological theories of the non-social aspects that characterise ASD. The Extreme Male Brain theory of autism proposes that enhanced visual acuity underpins greater attention to detail (assessed by the EFT) which is a prerequisite for Systemizing. To date, however, no study has empirically examined these relationships. 13 males with ASD and 13 male controls were assessed upon tasks argued to reflect these levels of processing. The ASD group were found to have significantly greater visual acuity, EFT performance and Systemizing ability than the control group. However, regression analysis revealed that the strongest relationship was between visual acuity and EFT performance.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84867890060&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10803-012-1505-0
U2 - 10.1007/s10803-012-1505-0
DO - 10.1007/s10803-012-1505-0
M3 - Article
SN - 0162-3257
VL - 42
SP - 2491
EP - 2497
JO - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
JF - Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders
IS - 11
ER -