Atypical Tactile Perception in Early Childhood Autism

We assessed different aspects of tactile perception in young children (3-6 years) with autism. Autistic and neurotypical children completed vibrotactile tasks assessing reaction time, amplitude discrimination (sequential and simultaneous) and temporal discrimination (temporal order judgment and duration discrimination). Autistic children had elevated and more variable reaction times, suggesting slower perceptual-motor processing speed and/or greater distractibility. Children with autism also showed higher amplitude discrimination and temporal order judgement thresholds compared to neurotypical children. Tactile perceptual metrics did not associate with social or tactile sensitivities measured by parent-reports. Altered tactile behavioral responses appear in early childhood, can be quantified but appear dissociated from sensitivity. This implies these measures are complementary, but not necessarily related, phenomena of atypical tactile perception in autism.

Automated summary

This study assessed different aspects of tactile perception in young children with autism. The findings suggest that autistic children have slower perceptual-motor processing speed and/or greater distractibility, as evidenced by their elevated and more variable reaction times. They also showed higher thresholds in amplitude discrimination and temporal order judgement compared to neurotypical children. Furthermore, these perceptual metrics did not correlate with social or tactile sensitivities reported by parents.