Visual Pattern Preference May be Indicator of Autism in Toddlers

The results of the study suggest that a preference for geometric patterns early in life may be a signature behavior in infants who are at-risk for autism.

"In testing 110 toddlers ages 14 to 42 months, we found that all of the toddlers who spent more than 69 percent of their time fixing their gaze on geometric images could be accurately classified as having an autism spectrum disorder or ASD," said Karen Pierce, PhD.

During this study, babies ranging in age between 12 and 42 months sat on their mother's lap as they watched a one-minute movie that contained shapes moving on one side of the screen (i.e., "dynamic geometric patterns) and children dancing and doing yoga on the other (i.e., "dynamic social images").

By Debra Kain

Media Contacts:
Debra Kain, ddkain@ucsd.edu, 619-543-6163

Source:

http://ucsdnews.ucsd.edu/newsrel/science/09-02VisualPattern.asp