A new study has found that adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) prefer to take on a following role rather than leading when engaged in social imitation tasks. The researchers used EEG hyperscanning to monitor the brain activity of participants with ASD and their neurotypical peers during these interactions. The findings suggest that individuals with ASD may be more comfortable in social interactions where they can take a responsive role rather than initiating the interaction.
The study, published in the journal Social Neuroscience, involved 40 participants, including 10 high-functioning adults with ASD and 30 adults without the condition. The participants were divided into pairs and asked to perform a series of imitation tasks involving hand movements. In these tasks, one participant would lead by performing a hand movement, while the other would follow by imitating the movement.
The researchers found that individuals with ASD showed a preference for following rather than leading during the imitation tasks. This preference was accompanied by notable differences in brain activity between individuals with ASD and their neurotypical peers during these interactions. Specifically, the study found that the presence of an individual with ASD in the pair disrupted the typical pattern of brain synchronization seen in neurotypical individuals.
The findings highlight that autism is not just something inside one person, but rather a relational condition. The study’s authors suggest that this has significant implications for how we understand human cognition in all its diversity, and for the development of an interpersonalized approach to autism.
While the study provides valuable insights, it also has some limitations. The sample size was relatively small, with only 40 participants, and the group of individuals with ASD was limited to high-functioning adults. Further research is needed to replicate these observations on a larger scale and uncover additional markers at the physiological level.
Source: https://www.psypost.org/distinct-neural-synchrony-observed-in-social-interactions-involving-autistic-adults/