Observation of Predictable Visual Stimuli a Potential Early Indicator for Autism

FRIDAY, April 18, 2025 (HealthDay News) — Predictable movement stimuli could be a behavioral marker for early autism spectrum disorder (ASD) screening, according to a study published online Feb. 7 in Scientific Reports.

Children with ASD may develop predictive processing abilities for repeated behaviors, providing insight into how they recognize and respond to predictable patterns, according to Mikimasa Omori, from Waseda University in Saitama, Japan. Omori examined observation durations for predictable movements for children with potential ASD (13 male and four female) compared to typically developing children (nine male and two female) using a preferential-looking paradigm. Participants were presented with pairs of stimuli featuring predictable and unpredictable movements, which were observed side-by-side.

Omori found that children with potential ASD spent significantly more time observing predictable movements, especially in the latter part of the stimulus presentation.

“Early diagnosis is critical for implementing effective interventions, as earlier detection increases the likelihood of leveraging brain plasticity to support development,” Omori writes. “This study”s results highlight the potential of predictable stimuli as an early screening tool, offering promise for improving early diagnosis and intervention for children at risk for ASD.”

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