Mindreading in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

Mindreading in Adults With Autism Spectrum Disorder

This study aims to investigate the ability of reading emotions by the Eyes task in adults with ASD, and examine the gazing pattern and frontal activation during the task. We plan to recruit 50 adults with ASD and 50 typically-developing adults. Eye-tracking and frontal activation (measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy) will be examined during the Eyes task.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a clinical syndrome characterized by mindreading deficits, or Theory of Mind deficits. The Reading the Mind in the Eyes task (abbreviated as the Eyes task) was developed to assess the mindreading deficits as a hallmark of social deficits of ASD. This study aims to investigate the ability of reading emotions by the Eyes task in adults with ASD, and examine the gazing pattern and frontal activation during the task. We plan to recruit 50 adults with ASD and 50 typically-developing adults. All the participants will complete clinical measures and the Eyes task. Eye-tracking and frontal activation (measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy) will be examined during the Eyes task.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Adult aged between 20 and 50 years who had a diagnosis of ASD based on DSM-5.
• Had a full-scale IQ > 70 on WAIS-IV.

Exclusion Criteria:

• A history of major mental illness (e.g., bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia) or neurological diseases.
• Visual impairment and that would preclude participation.