Abstract
Abstract: A defining feature of ASD is atypical gaze behaviour, however, eye-tracking studies in ‘real-world’ settings are limited, and the possibility of improving gaze behaviour for ASD children is largely unexplored. This study investigated gaze behaviour of ASD and typically developing (TD) children in their classroom setting. Eye-tracking technology was used to develop and pilot an operant training tool to positively reinforce typical gaze behaviour towards faces. Visual and statistical analyses of eye-tracking data revealed different gaze behaviour patterns during live interactions for ASD and TD children depending on the interaction type. All children responded to operant training with longer looking times observed on face stimuli post training. The promising application of operant gaze training in ecologically valid settings is discussed.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 4663-4678 |
| Number of pages | 16 |
| Journal | Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders |
| Volume | 51 |
| Early online date | 15 Feb 2021 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published online - 15 Feb 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:This research was supported by the Department of Employment and Learning (DEL) Northern Ireland, Postgraduate Studentship, funding code 0011, awarded to the corresponding author.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021, The Author(s).
Copyright:
Copyright 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Autism
- eye tracking
- applied behaviour analysis
- Social Skills
- Gaze behaviour
- Eye-tracking
- Applied behaviour analysis
- Social skills
- Behaviour change
- Original Paper
- Humans
- Fixation, Ocular
- Child
- Autism Spectrum Disorder/diagnosis