Audition‐specific temporal processing deficits associated with language function in children with autism spectrum disorder
Open accessAbstract
Sensory processing alterations are highly prevalent in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurobiologically‐based theories of ASD propose that abnormalities in the processing of temporal aspects of sensory input could underlie core symptoms of ASD. For example, rapid auditory temporal processing is critical for speech perception, and language difficulties are central to the social communication deficits defining the disorder. This study assessed visual and auditory temporal processing abilities and tested their relation to core ASD symptoms. 53 children (26 ASD, 27 TD) completed visual and auditory psychophysical gap detection tasks to measure gap detection thresholds (i.e., the minimum interval between sequential stimuli needed for individuals to perceive an interruption between the stimuli) in each domain. Children were also administered standardized language assessments such that the relation between individual differences in auditory gap detection thresholds and degree of language and communication difficulties among children with ASD could be assessed. Children with ASD had substantially higher auditory gap detection thresholds compared to children with TD, and auditory gap detection thresholds were correlated significantly with several measures of language processing in this population. No group differences were observed in the visual temporal processing. Results indicate a domain‐specific impairment in rapid auditory temporal processing in ASD that is associated with greater difficulties in language processing. Findings provide qualified support for temporal processing theories of ASD and highlight the need for future research testing the nature, extent, and universality of auditory temporal processing deficits in this population. Autism Res 2017, 10: 1845–1856. © 2017 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Lay Summary: Sensory symptoms are common in ASD. Temporal processing alterations are often implicated, but understudied. The ability to process rapid sensory information, particularly auditory input, is critical for language functioning. This study tested auditory and visual temporal processing in ASD and controls. Findings suggest that rapid auditory (but not visual) processing is impaired in ASD and related to language functioning. These results could provide mechanistic clues to understanding core symptoms and lead to novel intervention targets.
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Greater difficulties in language processing seem to be correlated with higher auditory gap detection thresholds.
“Greater difficulties in language processing seem to be correlated with higher auditory gap detection thresholds (minimum interval between sequential stimuli needed for individuals to perceive an interruption between the stimuli) (Foss-Feig et al. 2017).”
From Autism Spectrum Disorder and auditory sensory alterations: a systematic review on the integrity of cognitive and neuronal functions related to auditory processing (2023) · cites this paper as Foss-Feig et al. 2017
Children with ASD have higher auditory gap detection thresholds.
“Children with ASD seem to possess a wider window of audiovisual temporal integration (Stevenson et al. 2017; Noel et al. 2017), and higher auditory gap detection thresholds (Foss-Feig et al. 2017).”
From Autism Spectrum Disorder and auditory sensory alterations: a systematic review on the integrity of cognitive and neuronal functions related to auditory processing (2023) · cites this paper as Foss-Feig et al. 2017
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Gonçalves, A. M., & Monteiro, P. (2023) · Journal of Neural Transmission · doi:10.1007/s00702-023-02595-9 · Cited by 88 · see citing works
- Authors
- Foss‐Feig, J. H., Schauder, K. B., Key, A. P., Wallace, M. T., & Stone, W. L.
- Affiliations
- Mount Sinai Hospital (US)
- University of Rochester (US)
- Vanderbilt University (US)
- University of Washington (US)
- Corresponding author
- Foss‐Feig, Jennifer H.
- Venue
- Autism Research
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Published
- 2017-06-20
- Volume
- 10
- Issue
- 11
- Pages
- 1845-1856
- ISSN
- 1939-3792 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-3806
- PMC
- PMC6007978
- OpenAlex
- W2718213320
- Cited by
- 71
- References
- 7
- Citations by year
- 2026: 6 · 2025: 11 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 12 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 9 · 2020: 7 · 2019: 3 · 2018: 4 · 2017: 1
- FWCI
- 2.35
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- green
- europepmc.org
- Locations
- Autism Research (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
- PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
- Funders
- Autism Science Foundation
- Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Language Development and Disorders
- Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
- Keywords
- autism spectrum disorder, auditory temporal processing, visual temporal processing, gap detection, language processing, speech perception, sensory processing, children, social communication deficits
- MeSH terms
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Adolescent, Auditory Perception, Child, Female, Humans, Language Development Disorders, Male, Time Perception, Visual Perception
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