A Comparison of Face Processing of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Typically Developing Children in Three Dimensional Animation and Live Human Video Material

Children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have significant difficulties in face processing skills. In this study, differential effects of stories presented via a three dimensional (3D) animation and a video were explored on the face processing skills (total fixation duration and total visit duration) of children with ASD and typically developing children. Study groups were consisted of 23 children with ASD and 21 typically developing children between the age of 5 and 12. Results of the study showed that children with ASD displayed differential face processing skills while watching the 3D animation when compared to the video, specifically, children with ASD displayed better fixation skills on face areas during the 3D animation. Study findings also showed that children with ASD showed atypical face processing skills when compared to typically developing children's face processing skills. Study results were discussed in regard to literature on children with ASD's face processing skills and potential intervention approaches, and suggestions for future research were provided.