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Cited by 513Autism Spectrum Disorder ResearchGenetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersChild Nutrition and Feeding Issues

The impact of atypical sensory processing on social impairments in autism spectrum disorder

Open access
Thye, Melissa D., Bednarz, Haley M., Herringshaw, Abbey J., Sartin, Emma B., Kana, Rajesh K.·2018·Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
DOI 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.04.010PMC PMC6987885
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Abstract

Altered sensory processing has been an important feature of the clinical descriptions of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is evidence that sensory dysregulation arises early in the progression of ASD and impacts social functioning. This paper reviews behavioral and neurobiological evidence that describes how sensory deficits across multiple modalities (vision, hearing, touch, olfaction, gustation, and multisensory integration) could impact social functions in ASD. Theoretical models of ASD and their implications for the relationship between sensory and social functioning are discussed. Furthermore, neural differences in anatomy, function, and connectivity of different regions underlying sensory and social processing are also discussed. We conclude that there are multiple mechanisms through which early sensory dysregulation in ASD could cascade into social deficits across development. Future research is needed to clarify these mechanisms, and specific focus should be given to distinguish between deficits in primary sensory processing and altered top-down attentional and cognitive processes.

AI snapshot

Written from the paper’s full text.

TL;DR

This review argues that atypical sensory processing across vision, hearing, touch, olfaction/gustation, and multisensory integration can cascade into the social impairments of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It integrates behavioral and neurobiological evidence with theoretical models to propose multiple mechanisms linking early sensory dysregulation to later social deficits.

Key findings

  • Atypical sensory processing is prevalent in ASD: up to 95% of parents of children with ASD report some atypical sensory behavior, and sensory abnormalities are reported across all ages and symptom severity levels.
  • Sensory differences appear early and predict later social outcomes: for example, saccade duration in 7-month-olds reliably distinguished children later diagnosed with ASD, and poor visual disengagement at 14 months predicted later ASD diagnosis in high-risk infants.
  • Across modalities, altered sensation, perception, and attention may impair social functions such as gaze processing, face processing, biological motion perception, speech recognition, affective prosody, tactile bonding, multisensory speech integration, emotion recognition, and imitation.
  • Proposed integrative mechanisms include an extended temporal binding window, Intense World Theory, and atypical hierarchical information processing, with neural involvement of thalamus, insula, anterior cingulate cortex, superior temporal cortex, and cerebellum.

Methods

  • Narrative review of behavioral and neurobiological studies on social and sensory processing in ASD, covering vision, hearing, touch, olfaction/gustation, and multisensory integration.
  • Discusses theoretical models of ASD and neuroimaging evidence on anatomy, function, and connectivity of sensory and social processing regions.
  • No primary data collection, systematic search strategy, or meta-analysis is reported.

Limitations

  • The paper states that future research is needed to clarify the mechanisms linking sensory and social features and to distinguish deficits in primary sensory processing from altered top-down attentional and cognitive processes.
  • The paper notes heterogeneity and inconsistencies in sensory findings across ASD samples, with features ranging from intact to enhanced to impaired.
  • Evident from the text: as a narrative review, it does not specify systematic inclusion/exclusion criteria or quantitatively synthesize effect sizes, so conclusions are integrative rather than meta-analytic.

Model-written summary. Check it against the paper before relying on it.

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1016/j.dcn.2017.04.010

Cites

431 of 431 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

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  • Interpretationreasoning

    There is behavioral, neurophysiological and anecdotal evidence of sensory impairment as a prevalent characteristic feature of ASD.

    “Thus, there is behavioral, neurophysiological and anecdotal evidence of sensory impairment as a prevalent characteristic feature of ASD.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation

    New theoretical and empirical evidence suggests a stronger relationship between sensory and social features of ASD than previously thought.

    “new theoretical and empirical evidence suggests a stronger relationship between the two than previously thought (Ronconi et al., 2016).”
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    • cites Ronconi et al., 2016 source

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  • Interpretationreasoning

    There are multiple mechanisms through which early sensory dysregulation in ASD could cascade into social deficits across development.

    “We conclude that there are multiple mechanisms through which early sensory dysregulation in ASD could cascade into social deficits across development.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Premisecitation

    Saccade duration in 7-month olds reliably distinguishes children later diagnosed with ASD.

    “Differences in vision have also emerged as one of the earliest stable markers of ASD, with saccade duration in 7-month olds reliably distinguishing children later diagnosed with ASD (Wass et al., 2015).”
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  • Interpretationreasoning

    Visual differences may play a role in social impairments in ASD because perception of social cues drives visual attention patterns.

    “These differences may play a role in social impairments in ASD, as perception of social cues drives visual attention patterns, and thus is crucial in social development and interpersonal interactions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 30
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    Premisecitation

    Altered sensory processing has been an important feature of the clinical descriptions of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

    “Altered sensory processing has been an important feature of the clinical descriptions of autism spectrum disorder (ASD).”
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    • cites Kanner, 1943

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    Interpretationnone given

    Sensory dysregulation arises early in the progression of ASD and impacts social functioning.

    “There is evidence that sensory dysregulation arises early in the progression of ASD and impacts social functioning.”
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    Premisecitation

    Early abnormal sensory sensitivity predicts later joint attention and language development, social play, increased withdrawal and negative temperament, and higher social impairment in adults with ASD.

    “This relationship is also evident from findings of early abnormal sensory sensitivity to stimuli predicting later joint attention and language development (Baranek et al., 2013), development of social play (Miller Kuhaneck and Britner, 2013), increased withdrawal and negative temperament (Brock et al., 2012), and higher levels of social impairment in adults with ASD (Hilton et al., 2010).”
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    • cites Miller Kuhaneck and Britner, 2013

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    • cites Brock et al., 2012

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    Premisecitation

    Up to 95% of parents of children with ASD report some atypical sensory behavior in their child.

    “up to 95% of parents of children with ASD report some atypical sensory behavior in their child (e.g., seeming indifference to pain, avoidance of certain sounds or textures, unusual smelling of objects, seeking out visual experiences of lights or movement; Rogers and Ozonoff, 2005).”
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    Premisecitation

    Sensory processing abnormalities in ASD are reported across all ages and levels of symptom severity and adversely affect daily functioning and academic performance.

    “sensory processing abnormalities in ASD (see Baum et al., 2015; or Marco et al., 2011; for reviews) are reported across all ages and levels of symptom severity (Leekam et al., 2007) and adversely affect both daily functioning (Suarez, 2012) and academic performance (Howe and Stagg, 2016).”
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    • cites Howe and Stagg, 2016

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    Interpretationcitation

    Sensory and social behaviors may arise from a common underlying mechanism and/or exert reciprocal influence on each other in the course of a child's development.

    “Sensory and social behaviors may arise from a common underlying mechanism and/or may exert reciprocal influence on each other in the course of a child’s development (Gliga et al., 2014).”
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    • cites Gliga et al., 2014 source

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    Premisecitation

    Atypical visual processing is widely documented in ASD, with alterations in basic perceptual functions including contrast sensitivity, boundary detection, field of view size, and color perception.

    “Atypical visual processing has been widely documented in individuals with ASD (see Simmons et al., 2009 for a review), with alterations in basic perceptual functions, including contrast sensitivity (Behrmann et al., 2006, Bertone et al., 2003), boundary detection (Vandenbroucke et al., 2008), field of view size (Song et al., 2015) and color perception (Franklin et al., 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    Deficits in visual form processing and motion perception, reduced susceptibility to illusion, superior visual search, local processing bias, spatial attention impairments, and altered oculomotor function are reported in ASD.

    “Deficits in visual form processing (Spencer and O'Brien, 2006) and motion perception (see Kaiser and Shiffrar, 2009 for a review), reduced susceptibility to illusion (Happe, 1996, Bolte et al., 2007), superior visual search (Jolliffe and Baron-Cohen, 1997), a local processing bias (Dakin and Frith, 2005), spatial attention impairments (Haist et al., 2005), and altered oculomotor function (Goldberg”
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    • cites Kaiser and Shiffrar, 2009

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    Interpretationreasoning

    A child overly sensitive to loud noises may withdraw from socio-communicative environments that are over-stimulating, leading to less practice with social scenarios and ultimately a breakdown of successful social interaction.

    “For example, a child that is overly sensitive to loud noises may withdraw from socio-communicative environments that are over-stimulating, leading to less practice with social scenarios and ultimately resulting in a breakdown of successful social interaction.”
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    Premisecitation

    Frequency of lateral glances and visual hypo-responsivity predict poorer social skills and greater overall ASD symptomology.

    “The frequency of lateral glances and visual hypo-responsivity predict poorer social skills and greater overall ASD symptomology (Hellendoorn et al., 2014, Kern et al., 2007).”
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    Premisecitation

    Some visual differences manifest as enhanced perceptual abilities in ASD, particularly in basic low-level visual search tasks, but may be disruptive to efficient processing in fast-paced, complex visual environments.

    “Behaviorally, some differences manifest as enhanced perceptual abilities in ASD, particularly in basic low level visual search tasks; conversely, these may be disruptive to efficient processing in fast-paced, complex visual environments (Happe and Frith, 2006, Mottron et al., 2006, Pellicano and Burr, 2012).”
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    Premisecitation

    Individuals with ASD are able to determine the direction of others' gaze but fail to effectively use this information socially.

    “Many studies suggest that individuals with ASD are able to determine the direction of others’ gaze, but fail to effectively use this information socially (Leekam et al., 1997, Pelphrey and Carter, 2008).”
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    Face processing abnormalities in ASD include less focus on eyes and increased looking to the mouth.

    “Face processing abnormalities in individuals with ASD, including less focus on eyes and increased looking to the mouth (Klin et al., 2002), have been studied extensively”
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    Interpretationcitation

    Atypical face processing in ASD could arise from sociocognitive factors or reflect visual processing deficits more broadly.

    “Atypical face processing in ASD could arise from sociocognitive factors, or reflect visual processing deficits more broadly, such as distinguishing between both social and non-social stimuli that are visually complex or highly similar, including upright faces, inverted faces, and cars (Ewing et al., 2013); and poor ability to discriminate between novel, and perceptually similar objects (Greebles)”
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    Premisecitation

    Poorer facial identity recognition, facial memory, face discrimination, and deficits in facial emotion recognition are reported in ASD.

    “In addition, poorer facial identity recognition (e.g., Kirchner et al., 2011), facial memory (e.g., Wilson et al., 2010), face discrimination (e.g., Rutherford et al., 2007a), and deficits in facial emotion recognition (e.g., Hobson, 1986, Baron-Cohen, 1991, Harms et al., 2010) have also been reported in ASD.”
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    Premisecitation

    Individuals with ASD have difficulty using information from biological motion to infer emotions, recognize faces, and follow pointing.

    “Moreover, individuals with ASD have difficulty using information from biological motion to infer emotions (Nackaerts et al., 2012), recognize faces (O'Brien et al., 2014) and follow pointing (Swettenham et al., 2013).”
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    Premisecitation

    Atypical auditory processing is well-documented in ASD with a profile of enhanced pitch perception, increased sensitivity to loud noises, lack of auditory orientation, impaired perception of prosody, and diminished auditory stream segregation.

    “Atypical auditory processing is well-documented in ASD (see O'Connor, 2012 for review) with a profile of enhanced pitch perception (Bonnel et al., 2003, Bonnel et al., 2010, O'Riordan and Passetti, 2006), increased sensitivity to loud noises (Khalfa et al., 2004), lack of auditory orientation (Paul et al., 2007), impaired perception of prosody (Järvinen-Pasley et al., 2008), and diminished”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    Pre-existing visual processing deficits may disrupt developing social skills by preventing the perception of visual cues that signal social rewards, making the cause and effect of social interactions unpredictable.

    “It is possible that pre-existing visual processing deficits may disrupt developing social skills by preventing the perception of visual cues that signal social rewards, making the cause and effect of social interactions unpredictable.”
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    Premisecitation

    Motion processing impairments in ASD may be specific to biological motion perception, possibly stemming from a failure to modulate posterior STS activity specifically for biological motion.

    “Some evidence suggests that motion processing impairments in ASD are specific to biological motion perception (e.g., Koldewyn et al., 2011), possibly stemming from a failure to modulate posterior STS activity specifically for biological motion (Pelphrey et al., 2007, Pelphrey and Carter, 2010).”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    Deficits in low-level visual motion perception in ASD, stemming from early visual processing areas, may contribute to biological motion processing impairments, which in turn is central to the social impairments seen in ASD.

    “Thus, evidence suggests some deficits in low-level visual motion perception in ASD, stemming from early visual processing areas, which may contribute to biological motion processing impairments, which in turn is central to the social impairments seen in ASD.”
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    Premisecitation

    High functioning individuals with ASD score in the atypical range on sensory processing behavioral measures and these scores predict the severity of social functioning.

    “However, it should be noted that high functioning individuals with ASD score in the atypical range on sensory processing behavioral measures and these scores predict the severity of social functioning (Hilton et al., 2010).”
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    • cites Hilton et al., 2010

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    Premisecitation

    MMN EEG found reduced preference for social and affective auditory information in children with ASD as well as decreased sensory discrimination between expected and unexpected speech, suggesting that social information is filtered out and ignored at a basic sensory or perceptual level.

    “Research utilizing a mismatch negativity (MMN) EEG paradigm found reduced preference for social and affective auditory information in children with ASD as well as decreased sensory discrimination between expected and unexpected speech (Fan and Cheng, 2014) suggesting that social information is filtered out and ignored at a basic sensory or perceptual level.”
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    • cites Fan and Cheng, 2014

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    Interpretationreasoning

    Abnormal auditory processing is consistently reported in ASD and stems from atypical sensation, altered perception, and lack of preferential attention to auditory stimuli, which directly impacts successful social engagement.

    “Thus, abnormal auditory processing is consistently reported in ASD and stems from atypical sensation, altered perception, and lack of preferential attention to auditory stimuli which directly impacts successful social engagement.”
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    Premisecitation

    Individuals with ASD display limited ability to isolate certain features of concurrent auditory information and are less able to focus auditory attention on the more salient information in the environment compared to controls, even after controlling for IQ and hearing ability.

    “With competing sources of auditory information, individuals with ASD display limited ability to isolate certain features of concurrent auditory information (Lepistö et al., 2009) and are less able to focus auditory attention on the more salient information in the environment compared to controls, even after controlling for IQ and hearing ability (Teder-Sälejärvi et al., 2005).”
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    Interpretationcitation

    Superior pitch processing in childhood may lead to attentional exclusion of language-related pitch and subsequent delays in language acquisition.

    “In addition, there is neural evidence of enhanced pitch processing of non-speech sounds, but not speech sounds in ASD (Yu et al., 2015) possibly suggesting that superior pitch processing in childhood may lead to attentional exclusion of language-related pitch and subsequent delays in language acquisition.”
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    Premisecitation

    Enhanced pitch discrimination is well-documented in autism, extends to both music and speech, and represents a relative area of strength in auditory processing.

    “Enhanced pitch discrimination, well-documented in autism (Bonnel et al., 2003, Bonnel et al., 2010, Bouvet et al., 2014, O'Riordan and Passetti, 2006), extends to both music (Mottron et al., 2000) and speech (Järvinen-Pasley and Heaton, 2007) and represents a relative area of strength in auditory processing in autism (see O'Connor, 2012 for review).”
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    • cites Bonnel et al., 2003

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    Interpretationcitation

    Even in the absence of a basic auditory sensory impairment, some individuals with ASD have difficulty filtering auditory information, which may underscore a general deficit in integrating information.

    “Thus, even in the absence of a basic auditory sensory impairment, some individuals with ASD have difficulty filtering auditory information which may underscore a general deficit in integrating information.”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    Failure to preferentially respond to speech early in development may be indicative of a lower level sensory or perceptual deficit or a higher order impairment in attention or language processing which can cascade into impairments in speech recognition.

    “Thus, failure to preferentially respond to speech early in development may be indicative of a lower level sensory or perceptual deficit or a higher order impairment in attention or language processing which can cascade into impairments in speech recognition.”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    Atypical auditory processing in ASD is noted early in development and has cascading effects on speech processing, social engagement, and language acquisition.

    “Thus, atypical auditory processing in ASD is noted early in development and has cascading effects on speech processing, social engagement, and language acquisition.”
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    Premisecitation

    Stimulation of C-tactile afferents correlates with activation of regions of the social brain, supporting the hypothesis that skin is a social organ.

    “Stimulation of C-tactile (CT) afferents, nerve fibers that process affective and limbic touch (Wessberg and Norrsell, 1993), have been shown to correlate with activation of regions of the social brain (Kaiser et al., 2016, Gordon et al., 2013, Björnsdotter and Olausson, 2011, Björnsdotter et al., 2009, Olausson et al., 2002, Olausson et al., 2010), supporting the hypothesis that skin is a “social”
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    Interpretationcitation

    Individuals with ASD may have a deficit specific to affective prosody, supported by findings of unimpaired perception of pragmatic prosody but disrupted perception of affective prosody despite intact pitch discrimination and direction recognition.

    “Individuals with ASD may have a deficit specific to affective prosody. This is supported by findings of unimpaired perception of pragmatic prosody, but disrupted perception of affective prosody despite intact pitch discrimination and direction recognition in ASD (Globerson et al., 2015).”
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    Premisecitation

    Inappropriate use of prosody and difficulty extracting socially salient features from speech such as vocal affect is associated with worse social and communication skills and is consistently reported in ASD.

    “Inappropriate use of prosody (Kanner, 1943, Järvinen-Pasley et al., 2008, Wang et al., 2006) as well as difficulty extracting socially salient features from speech such as vocal affect (Järvinen-Pasley et al., 2008) is associated with worse social and communication skills (Paul et al., 2005) and is consistently reported in ASD.”
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    Interpretationcitation

    Enhanced auditory processing of pitch and oversensitivity to loudness can result in heightened awareness of simple perceptual features of auditory information at the exclusion of complex auditory input such as speech and the inability to discriminate the salient social information in the auditory environment.

    “Enhanced auditory processing of pitch and oversensitivity to loudness (Khalfa et al., 2004) can result in heightened awareness of simple perceptual features of auditory information at the exclusion of complex auditory input such as speech (Lin et al., 2016) and the inability to discriminate the salient social information in the auditory environment, an ability known as auditory stream segregation.”
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    • cites Khalfa et al., 2004

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    Premisecitation

    Touch plays a significant role in communication, developing social bonds, and overall physical development.

    “Touch plays a significant role in communication (Hertenstein, 2002, Hertenstein et al., 2006, Langland and Panicucci, 1982), developing social bonds (Dunbar, 2010, Langland and Panicucci, 1982), and overall physical development (Field, 1998, Polan and Ward, 1994).”
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    Premisecitation

    Touch-seeking behaviors predict levels of social impairment, and tactile hyporesponsivity is associated with both poorer social functioning and nonverbal communication skills.

    “For example, touch-seeking behaviors have been found to predict levels of social impairment, and tactile hyporesponsivity was associated with both poorer social functioning and nonverbal communication skills (Foss-Feig et al., 2012).”
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    Premisecitation

    Recent evidence supports both hypo- and hyper-reactivity to tactile stimuli in ASD, with these responses varying according to stimuli and context.

    “Recent evidence supports both hypo-and-hyper-reactivity to tactile stimuli in ASD, with these responses varying according to stimuli and context (Lane et al., 2011, Crane et al., 2009, Ben-Sasson et al., 2007, Tomchek and Dunn, 2007, Allely, 2013, Brown and Dunn, 2010, Cascio et al., 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    Individuals with ASD who have secure attachments tend to have less socially severe symptoms than individuals with ASD who are not securely attached, suggesting symptom severity and overall level of functioning could impact the strength of attachment.

    “Further, individuals with ASD who have secure attachments tend to have less socially severe symptoms than individuals with ASD who are not securely attached, suggesting symptom severity and overall level of functioning could impact the strength of attachment (Capps et al., 1994).”
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    Individuals with ASD display abnormal detection of tactile stimuli as well as a lack of habituation to tactile stimuli.

    “Individuals with ASD display abnormal detection of tactile stimuli (Blakemore et al., 2006) as well as a lack of habituation to tactile stimuli (Tannan et al., 2008).”
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    Premisecitation

    Individuals with ASD are capable of forming a secure attachment to their caregivers, but they tend to be less securely attached than their typically developing peers.

    “While individuals with ASD are capable of forming a secure attachment to their caregivers (Shapiro et al., 1987, Teague et al., 2017), they tend to be less securely attached than their typically developing peers (for a meta-analysis, see Rutgers et al., 2004).”
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    Premisecitation

    Infants who are later diagnosed with ASD have been observed to have less maternal touch stimulation, and failure to orient has been associated with poor attachment.

    “Infants who are later diagnosed with ASD have been observed to have less maternal touch stimulation (Baranek, 1999), and failure to orient has been associated with poor attachment (Reece et al., 2016, Weiss et al., 2000).”
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    Interpretationreasoning

    Individuals with ASD most likely have an altered experience of touch and pain, but it is not likely that they always exhibit hypo or hyper reactivity.

    “Thus, although individuals with ASD most likely have an altered experience of touch and pain, it is not likely that they always exhibit hypo or hyper reactivity.”
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    Premisecitation

    Oxytocin increases the perceived pleasantness of the touch of opposite gender and activity in parts of the social brain.

    “oxytocin has been found to increase the perceived pleasantness of the touch of opposite gender, along with activity in parts of the social brain (Scheele et al., 2014)”
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    • cites Scheele et al., 2014 source

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    Interpretationcitation

    There is attenuation of oxytocin in ASD, evidenced by abnormalities in oxytocin peptide and plasma levels, the OXTR gene, oxytocin receptors, and epigenetic mechanisms.

    “Further evidence of attenuation of oxytocin in ASD comes from abnormalities in oxytocin peptide and plasma levels (Green et al., 2001, Modahl et al., 1998)”
    • Also stated in: § Tactile processing and its role in social functioning in ASD · plain
      “alterations in: the gene that encodes the oxytocin receptor, OXTR, (Ebstein et al., 2009, Hammock and Levitt, 2006), in oxytocin receptors (Campbell et al., 2011, Liu et al., 2010, Skuse et al., 2014, Wermter et al., 2010, Wu et al., 2005), and in epigenetic mechanisms (Gregory et al., 2009, Kumsta et al., 2015)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Green et al., 2001 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Modahl et al., 1998 source

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    • cites Ebstein et al., 2009

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    Individuals with ASD are more likely to have a body mass index within the obesity or overweight range for their ages.

    “Individuals with ASD are also more likely to have a body mass index (BMI) within the obesity or overweight range for their ages (Bennetto et al., 2012)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Bennetto et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Youth with ASD are more selective regarding food groups, textures, tastes, and temperatures, and are more likely to exhibit higher levels of food refusal.

    “Youth with ASD have been found to be more selective regarding food groups, textures, tastes, and temperatures, and are more likely to exhibit higher levels of food refusal (Bennetto et al., 2012, Wiggins et al., 2009;)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Bennetto et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Wiggins et al., 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There is evidence of atypical response and disrupted taste detection in ASD.

    “there is evidence of atypical response, disrupted taste detection (Tavassoli and Baron-Cohen, 2012), in these domains.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Tavassoli and Baron-Cohen, 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisereasoning

    Social interactions require the integration of another person's voice, face, lip movements, and gestures; failure of this integration may lead to misinterpretation and abnormal social response.

    “social interactions require the integration of another person’s voice, face, lip movements, and gestures, failure of which may lead to misinterpretation and abnormal social response.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Affect recognition and theory of mind are consistently found to be deficits in autism.

    “all of which are consistently found to be deficits in autism (Baron-Cohen, 1997, Baron-Cohen et al., 1985, Gallagher et al., 2000, Harms et al., 2010, Bölte and Poustka, 2003)”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Baron-Cohen, 1997

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Baron-Cohen et al., 1985 source

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    • cites Gallagher et al., 2000 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Individuals with ASD show abnormal integration of auditory and visual stimuli during the flash-beep illusion, either perceiving the illusion over a longer temporal window or being less susceptible to the illusion.

    “with evidence of abnormal integration of auditory and visual stimuli during the flash-beep illusion, either perceiving the illusion over a longer temporal window (Foss-Feig et al., 2010), or being less susceptible to the illusion (Stevenson et al., 2014b).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Foss-Feig et al., 2010 source

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    • cites Stevenson et al., 2014b

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Individuals with ASD show altered integration of senses across multiple domains, which may impact their social functioning.

    “In summary, individuals with ASD show altered integration of senses across multiple domains, which may impact their social functioning.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Atypical language development in ASD is an important contributor to social functioning and may be impacted by deficits in multisensory integration.

    “The atypical language development in ASD (Tager-Flusberg et al., 2005) is an important contributor to social functioning and may be impacted by deficits in multisensory integration.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Tager-Flusberg et al., 2005

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Individuals with ASD often struggle to appropriately integrate additional visual information to auditory speech, which may impair comprehension.

    “Individuals with ASD often struggle to appropriately integrate additional visual information to auditory speech (Iarocci et al., 2010, Mongillo et al., 2008, Smith and Bennetto, 2007), which may impair comprehension.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Iarocci et al., 2010

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    • cites Mongillo et al., 2008

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    • cites Smith and Bennetto, 2007

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Recruitment of STG and STS during concurrent speech and beat gestures is absent in children with ASD, with increased activity in visual areas; this was associated with increased social deficits.

    “Recruitment of regions such as the STG and STS during concurrent speech and beat gestures is found to be absent in children with ASD, with increased activity in visual areas; this was associated with increased social deficits (Hubbard et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Hubbard et al., 2012

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Infants at high-risk for ASD do not show differential looking during congruent and incongruent speech and lip-movement, indicating difficulty matching auditory and visual information.

    “infants at high-risk for ASD do not show differential looking during congruent and incongruent speech and lip-movement; this indicates difficulty matching auditory and visual information (Guiraud et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Guiraud et al., 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Individuals with ASD fail to integrate visual cues to speech, which may negatively impact speech comprehension, a function critical to social behavior.

    “Altogether, there is evidence that individuals with ASD fail to integrate visual cues to speech, which may negatively impact speech comprehension, a function critical to social behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Premisenone given

    The ability to accurately perceive and recognize emotions is essential to appropriate social functioning and involves the integration of facial expressions, vocal tone, posture, and gestures.

    “The ability to accurately perceive and recognize emotions is essential to appropriate social functioning and involves the integration of facial expressions, vocal tone, posture, and gestures.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    In typically developing individuals, visual and auditory stimuli as well as visual and olfactory stimuli are integrated in emotion detection.

    “In TD, there is evidence that visual and auditory stimuli (Massaro and Egan, 1996, Piwek et al., 2015, Stienen et al., 2011, de Gelder and Vroomen, 2000) as well as visual and olfactory stimuli (Novak et al., 2015) are integrated in emotion detection.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Massaro and Egan, 1996

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    • cites Piwek et al., 2015

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    • cites Stienen et al., 2011

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    Motor imitation requires the integration of a stimulus with one's own proprioceptive movements.

    “Motor imitation requires the integration of a stimulus with one’s own proprioceptive movements.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The act of imitation has been proposed to provide a substrate for the development of theory of mind, empathy, and peer relationships.

    “The act of imitation has been proposed to provide a substrate for the development of theory of mind, empathy (Meltzoff and Decety, 2003), and peer relationships (Rubin et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Meltzoff and Decety, 2003

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Rubin et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The temporal binding hypothesis is based on the premise that sensory stimuli that occur in close temporal proximity are more likely to be integrated and perceived as emanating from the same source; timing information is crucial to binding and integrating associated stimuli.

    “It is based on the premise that sensory stimuli that occur in close temporal proximity are more likely to be integrated and perceived as emanating from the same source; thus, timing information is crucial to binding and integrating associated stimuli (Shams et al., 2000, McGurk and Macdonald, 1976, Stevenson et al., 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Shams et al., 2000 source

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    • cites McGurk and Macdonald, 1976 source

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    • cites Stevenson et al., 2012 source

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The temporal binding hypothesis has been used to explain altered sensory functioning in ASD.

    “The temporal binding hypothesis (Brock et al., 2002) has previously been used to explain altered sensory functioning in ASD.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Brock et al., 2002

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Interpretationreasoning

    An altered temporal binding window could impact social learning, such as those involving rewards.

    “An altered temporal binding window could also impact social learning, such as those involving rewards.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The physical self might be a precursor for developing a more abstract sense of self, and a lack of ability to integrate in ASD populations might be an obstacle in forming the sense of self needed for mastering theory-of-mind skills.

    “Thus, this physical self might be a precursor for developing a more abstract sense of self, and a lack of ability to integrate in ASD populations might be an obstacle in forming the sense of self needed for mastering theory-of-mind (ToM) skills.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    There is converging evidence that the temporal binding window is extended in individuals with ASD, which may give rise to alterations in sensory processing.

    “There is converging evidence that the “temporal binding window” is extended in individuals with ASD, which may give rise to alterations in sensory processing (see Wallace and Stevenson, 2014 for a review; Foss-Feig et al., 2010, Kwakye et al., 2011, Stevenson et al., 2014b).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Wallace and Stevenson, 2014

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Foss-Feig et al., 2010 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Kwakye et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Social stimuli inherently provide large amounts of inter-sensory redundancy, resulting in preferences for social over nonsocial stimuli in infants.

    “It has been proposed (Bahrick, 2010, Bahrick and Todd, 2012) that social stimuli − such as speech, faces, voices − inherently provide large amounts of inter-sensory redundancy, resulting in preferences for social over nonsocial stimuli in infants (Farah et al., 1998)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Bahrick, 2010

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    • cites Bahrick and Todd, 2012

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    • cites Farah et al., 1998

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The ability to detect amodal information is a prerequisite for sensory integration; alterations in early integration abilities could limit the salience of social stimuli and cascade into social deficits across development.

    “Thus, the ability to detect amodal information is a prerequisite for sensory integration; alterations in early integration abilities could limit the salience of social stimuli and cascade into social deficits across development.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Research has suggested that under-utilization of top-down processes such as context or experience or an over-reliance on bottom-up sensory perception characterizes perception in ASD.

    “Research has suggested that under-utilization of top-down processes such as context or experience (e.g., Pellicano and Burr, 2012) or an over-reliance on bottom-up sensory perception (e.g., Brock, 2012a, Mottron and Burack, 2001, Mottron et al., 2006) characterizes perception in ASD.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Pellicano and Burr, 2012 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Brock, 2012a

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Mottron and Burack, 2001

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The Intense World Theory explains both the unique sensory and social features of ASD and offers a mechanism for how an up-regulation in primary sensory perception results in social avoidance and withdrawal.

    “In this way, the Intense World Theory explains both the unique sensory and social features of ASD and offers a mechanism for how an up-regulation in primary sensory perception results in social avoidance and withdrawal.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The Intense World Theory proposes that perceptual up-regulation results in avoidance of highly emotional and unpredictable cues, such as eyes, faces, and social interactions.

    “Such perceptual up-regulation results in an avoidance of highly emotional and unpredictable cues, such as eyes, faces, and social interactions.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Markram et al., 2007 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Markram and Markram, 2010

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Intense World Theory proposes that this results in eye gaze aversion, social withdrawal, limited communication, and a focus on stable, predictable cues.

    “This results in eye gaze aversion, social withdrawal, limited communication, and a focus on stable, predictable cues instead (Markram and Markram, 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Markram and Markram, 2010

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    To efficiently perceive and operate in a dynamic world, humans use both incoming sensory information (bottom-up processes) and inference from prior experience and context (top-down processes).

    “To efficiently perceive and operate in a dynamic world, humans use both incoming sensory information (bottom-up processes) and inference from prior experience and context (top-down processes) (e.g., Knill and Pouget, 2004).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Knill and Pouget, 2004 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Intense World Theory proposes that this creates an intense world, a fragmented world, and an aversive world.

    “This creates an intense world, a fragmented world (with focus on individual components of the environment), and an aversive world.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Markram et al., 2007 source

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    • cites Markram and Markram, 2010

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    The Intense World Theory proposes that there is excessive functioning of neural circuits, such that the neural circuits are hyper-reactive, hyper-plastic, and generally up-regulated.

    “This neurobiologically-informed theory proposes that there is excessive functioning of neural circuits, such that the neural circuits are hyper-reactive, hyper-plastic, and generally up-regulated.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Markram et al., 2007 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Markram and Markram, 2010

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    These models all predict superior perception seen at times in ASD, such as reduced susceptibility to illusions, and superior visual search and pitch perception, but inefficient perception of ambiguous or complex sensory information.

    “These models all predict the superior perception seen at times in ASD, such as reduced susceptibility to illusions, and superior visual search and pitch perception (Happe, 1996, Bonnel et al., 2003, Jolliffe and Baron-Cohen, 1997, Pellicano et al., 2006, Muth et al., 2014), but inefficient perception of ambiguous or complex sensory information.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Happe, 1996

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    • cites Bonnel et al., 2003

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    • cites Jolliffe and Baron-Cohen, 1997

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  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The Intense World Theory proposes that low-level sensory perception is enhanced, coupled with deficits in sensory integration.

    “Low-level sensory perception is enhanced (intense world), coupled with deficits in sensory integration (fragmented world).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Markram et al., 2007 source

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    • cites Markram and Markram, 2010

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    The thalamus and basal ganglia form circuits throughout the brain that are connected to cognitive, motor, and emotional functioning.

    “The thalamus and basal ganglia form circuits throughout the brain that are connected to cognitive, motor, and emotional functioning (Schuetze et al., 2016).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Schuetze et al., 2016 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The thalamus is a relay center in subserving sensory and motor mechanisms, awareness, attention, memory, and language.

    “The thalamus is a relay center in subserving both sensory and motor mechanisms, and awareness (Smythies, 1997), attention (Büchel et al., 1998) and other neurocognitive processes such as memory and language (Engelborghs et al., 1998, Johnson and Ojemann, 2000).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Smythies, 1997 source

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    • cites Büchel et al., 1998 source

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    • cites Engelborghs et al., 1998

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Predictive coding may also underlie mentalizing, as individuals with ASD are impaired in using social information to predict others' actions.

    “Predictive coding may also underlie mentalizing (Palmer et al., 2015), as individuals with ASD are impaired in using social information to predict others’ actions (von der Luhe et al., 2016).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Palmer et al., 2015 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites von der Luhe et al., 2016

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    At the neural level, this profile may reflect hyper-activation of primary sensory cortices, decreased prefrontal activity, and reduced neural habituation during sensory processing.

    “At the neural level, this profile may reflect hyper-activation of primary sensory cortices, decreased prefrontal activity, and reduced neural habituation during sensory processing (Ring et al., 1999, Lee et al., 2007, Kana et al., 2013, Guiraud et al., 2011, Green et al., 2015).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Ring et al., 1999

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    • cites Lee et al., 2007

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    • cites Kana et al., 2013

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  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Neuroanatomical alterations of the ACC and insula in ASD may result in poor ability to integrate the physical self into a self-identity, possibly creating the stereotypical deficit in theory of mind in autism.

    “Neuroanatomical alterations (Ebisch et al., 2011, Uddin and Menon, 2009, Doyle-Thomas et al., 2013b, Haznedar et al., 1997, Henderson et al., 2006) of these areas in ASD may result in poor ability to integrate the physical self into a self-identity, possibly creating the stereotypical deficit in ToM in autism.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Ebisch et al., 2011

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Uddin and Menon, 2009

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    • cites Doyle-Thomas et al., 2013b

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Neuroimaging studies of the thalamus have found atypical functional and anatomical connectivity, decreased thalamic volume, lower levels of metabolites, and reduced neuronal integrity in ASD.

    “Neuroimaging studies of the thalamus have found atypical functional and anatomical connectivity (Horwitz et al., 1988, Nair et al., 2013), decreased thalamic volume (Tsatsanis et al., 2003, Tamura et al., 2010), lower levels of N-acetylasparate, phosphocreatine, creatin, and choline-containing metabolites (Hardan et al., 2008, Haznedar et al., 2006), and reduced neuronal integrity (Friedman et al.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Horwitz et al., 1988 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Nair et al., 2013

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    • cites Tsatsanis et al., 2003

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Premisenone given

    All sensory input with the exception of olfaction passes through the thalamus before reaching its associated primary cortical areas.

    “All sensory input with the exception of olfaction passes through the thalamus before reaching their associated primary cortical areas.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The anterior cingulate cortex and insula receive input from the thalamus and are thought to be major nodes of the limbic system contributing to emotion processing, learning, and memory.

    “The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) and insula receive input from the thalamus, and are thought to be major nodes of the limbic system which contributes to emotion processing (Hadland et al., 2003), learning (Bush et al., 2000, Devinsky et al., 1995), and memory (Frankland et al., 2004, Sutherland et al., 1988).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Hadland et al., 2003

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Bush et al., 2000 source

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    • cites Devinsky et al., 1995 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The superior temporal cortex is considered a hub of the social brain network, with important roles in emotion recognition, understanding intention, biological motion perception, and gaze detection.

    “The superior temporal cortex (STC), including the superior temporal sulcus and gyrus, is considered a hub of the “social brain” network (Pelphrey and Carter, 2008), with important roles in emotion recognition (Narumoto et al., 2001), understanding intention (Pelphrey et al., 2004a, Castelli et al., 2002, Kana et al., 2009, Kana et al., 2015), biological motion perception (Allison et al., 2000) and”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Pelphrey and Carter, 2008

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    • cites Narumoto et al., 2001

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    • cites Pelphrey et al., 2004a

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    STC dysfunction during social interactions is seen across sensory modalities and in many sensory-linked social impairments; for example, STC hypo-activation has been documented in ASD during biological motion detection, speech perception, processing affective touch, and integrating auditory and visual speech information.

    “STC dysfunction during social interactions is seen across sensory modalities and in many of the sensory-linked social impairments discussed above; for example, STC hypo-activation has been documented in ASD during biological motion detection (Pelphrey et al., 2007), speech perception (Redcay, 2008), processing affective touch (Kaiser et al., 2016), and integrating auditory and visual speech”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Pelphrey et al., 2007

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Redcay, 2008 source

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    • cites Kaiser et al., 2016

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The STC may be abnormally developed in ASD, with reductions in overall volume, decreased activity during social tasks, and decreased connectivity with other regions.

    “The STC may be abnormally developed in ASD, with reductions in overall volume, decreased activity during social tasks, and decreased connectivity with other regions (Boddaert et al., 2004, Patriquin et al., 2016, Venkataraman et al., 2015, Shih et al., 2011).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Boddaert et al., 2004

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Patriquin et al., 2016

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    • cites Venkataraman et al., 2015

      Not checked in the free run.

  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    It has also been proposed that the STC may play a common role across its many associated functions such that it processes and integrates various modes of incoming sensory information in order to assign meaning to one's world.

    “It has also been proposed that the STC may play a common role across its many associated functions such that it processes and integrates various modes of incoming sensory information in order to assign meaning to one’s world (Redcay, 2008, Jou et al., 2010).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Redcay, 2008 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Jou et al., 2010

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  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    It has been hypothesized that the many connections of the STC with primary sensory cortices, multimodal associative systems, and the limbic system may explain its role in a diverse range of functions.

    “In addition to the role of STC in sensory and social processes, it has been hypothesized that the many connections of the STC with primary sensory cortices, multimodal associative systems, and the limbic system, may explain its role in a diverse range of functions (Boddaert and Zilbovicius, 2002).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Boddaert and Zilbovicius, 2002

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The cerebellum has been proposed to enhance and depress sensory stimuli and could contribute to abnormal sensory perception in ASD.

    “The cerebellum has been proposed to enhance and depress sensory stimuli and could contribute to abnormal sensory perception in ASD (Kern, 2002).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites Kern, 2002 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Alterations in timing could impair integration of temporally synchronous stimuli, which would have profound effects on sensory perception and ultimately social responses.

    “Alterations in timing could impair integration of temporally synchronous stimuli (Wallace and Stevenson, 2014), which would have profound effects on sensory perception and ultimately social responses (D'Angelo and Casali, 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Wallace and Stevenson, 2014

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites D'Angelo and Casali, 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The cerebellum is involved in language, emotion, and social cognition specifically.

    “In fact, the cerebellum is involved in language, emotion, and social cognition specifically (Stoodley and Schmahmann, 2009, Van Overwalle et al., 2014).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Stoodley and Schmahmann, 2009 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Van Overwalle et al., 2014

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  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The cerebellum is functionally connected with different cortical nodes, allowing it to modulate diverse functions ranging from sensory to social through feedback loops.

    “The cerebellum is functionally connected with different cortical nodes, allowing it to modulate diverse functions − ranging from sensory to social − through feedback loops (Wolpert et al., 1998, D'Angelo and Casali, 2012).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites Wolpert et al., 1998 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites D'Angelo and Casali, 2012

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The cerebellum operates in a feed-forward manner, making predictions about the environment and learning from error signals to optimize behavior.

    “The cerebellum operates in a feed-forward manner (Wolpert et al., 1998, Miall et al., 1993), making predictions about the environment and learning from error signals (Marr, 1969) to optimize behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites Wolpert et al., 1998 source

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites Miall et al., 1993 source

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    • cites Marr, 1969 source

      Not checked in the free run.

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Altered sensory processing and sensory integration in autism affect language, communication, emotion, response to reward, and interpersonal functioning in individuals with ASD.

    “We find that altered sensory processing and sensory integration in autism affect language, communication, emotion, response to reward, and interpersonal functioning in individuals with ASD.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Sensory issues take an important role in social and communicative difficulties in ASD.

    “In general, sensory issues, which may differ across individuals on the autism spectrum, take an important role in social and communicative difficulties in ASD”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Socially, this profile of sensory sensitivity can impact selective attention to social stimuli, decoding intentions, social reciprocity, and adherence to social norms of behavior.

    “Socially, this profile of sensory sensitivity can impact selective attention to social stimuli, decoding intentions, social reciprocity, and adherence to social norms of behavior.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The cerebellum also plays a complex role in sensory feedback and integration of social cues within the environment.

    “The cerebellum also plays a complex role in sensory feedback and integration of social cues within the environment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationnone given

    Hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli in the environment can result in delayed visual and auditory processing, lack of appropriate response, and poor multisensory integration.

    “Conversely, hyposensitivity to sensory stimuli in the environment can result in delayed visual and auditory processing, lack of appropriate response, and poor multisensory integration.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    Oversensitivity to perceptual level sensory features can come at the expense of inability to filter out extraneous information and selectively attend to instruction in the therapeutic environment.

    “Oversensitivity to perceptual level sensory features can come at the expense of inability to filter out extraneous information and selectively attend to instruction in the therapeutic environment.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Clinically, atypical sensory processing in ASD can interfere with obtaining an accurate assessment of skills, progression of therapy, and treatment outcomes.

    “Clinically, atypical sensory processing in ASD can interfere with obtaining an accurate assessment of skills, progression of therapy, and treatment outcomes.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable). May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The two core symptom domains of autism are interrelated and require intervention that targets both domains in conjunction.

    “In this way, the two core symptom domains of autism are interrelated and require intervention that targets both domains in conjunction.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The sensory characteristics seen across ASD are heterogeneous, with many features ranging from intact, enhanced, or impaired from one sample to the next.

    “The sensory characteristics seen across ASD are heterogeneous, with many features ranging from intact, enhanced, or impaired from one sample to the next.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim

  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Inability of the cerebellum to either integrate social cues, or to form internal models based on these cues, would have ultimate effects on social behavior.

    “Inability of the cerebellum to either integrate social cues, or to form internal models based on these cues, would have ultimate effects on social behavior.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
103 of 103

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Oxytocin is the neuropeptide primarily involved in social bonding.

    “the neuropeptide primarily involved in social bonding”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Social interactions require the integration of another person's voice, face, lip movements, and gestures.

    “social interactions require the integration of another person’s voice, face, lip movements, and gestures”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    The interpersonal world demands strong central coherence, integration of context, and utilization of prior knowledge.

    “the interpersonal world demands strong central coherence, integration of context, and utilization of prior knowledge”

  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Reward learning requires critically timed and predictable co-occurrence of stimuli.

    “Reward learning requires critically timed and predictable co-occurrence of stimuli”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

Self-check

Percentages, sums and reported differences re-computed from the paper’s own numbers.

Each contradiction between two passages listed here was confirmed by an independent check.

  • Auditory-somatosensory study is described as audiovisual

    Minor

    The text cites Russo et al. (2010) for altered cortical recruitment during simultaneous audiovisual stimulation, whereas the cited reference identifies its subject as auditory-somatosensory integration.

  • Fixation duration is described as saccade duration

    Minor

    The paper describes Wass et al. (2015) as evidence about saccade duration, but the cited reference is titled "Shorter spontaneous fixation durations in infants with later emerging autism." Fixations and saccades are different eye-movement measures.

2 of 2

Cites

Flagged first, then by citations

Research works printed but not linked: 4

  1. Bahrick, 2010, Vol. 1
  2. Charrier, 2016, Slowing down the flow of facial information enhances facial scanning in children with autism spectrum disorders: a pilot eye tracking study, L'Encephale
  3. Kekelis, 1992, Peer interactions in childhood: the impact of visual impairment, Dev. of Soc. Skills Blind Vis. Impaired Students, 2, 13
  4. Pelphrey, 2010, Brain mechanisms underlying social perception deficits in autism, Hum. Behav. Learn. Dev., 56

Cited by

Sorted by citations

Related

Authors
Thye, M. D., Bednarz, H. M., Herringshaw, A. J., Sartin, E. B., & Kana, R. K.
Affiliations
University of Alabama at Birmingham (US)
Corresponding author
Kana, Rajesh K.
ORCID
Venue
Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2018-01
Volume
29
Pages
151-167
ISSN
1878-9293 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.dcn.2017.04.010
PMC
PMC6987885
OpenAlex
W2616084157
Semantic Scholar
fb5788b70fdcfa79ba20e58b8e00c649a74438ce
Cited by
513
References
429
Citations by year
2026: 59 · 2025: 64 · 2024: 68 · 2023: 71 · 2022: 74 · 2021: 59 · 2020: 59 · 2019: 29 · 2018: 24 · 2017: 3
FWCI
3.52
Type
journal article
Language
en
Update notices
erratum (2020-10-01)
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • UAB Department of Psychology Faculty Funds
  • McNulty-Civitan Scientist Award
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Psychiatry and Mental health › Child Nutrition and Feeding Issues
Keywords
autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing, social dysfunction, multisensory integration, sensory impairment, neuronal connectivity, top-down attention, social development (developmental psychology)
MeSH terms
Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention, Cognition, Humans, Sensation, Social Behavior

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read by deepseek-v4.1-flash under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-10-10.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-10-10.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

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