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Autistic Traits and Enhanced Perceptual Representation of Pitch and Time

  • S.I. : Local vs. Global processing in Autism Spectrum Disorders
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Abstract

Enhanced basic perceptual discrimination has been reported for pitch in individuals with autism spectrum conditions. We test whether there is a correlational pattern of enhancement across the broader autism phenotype and whether this correlation occurs for the discrimination of pitch, time and loudness. Scores on the Autism-Spectrum Quotient correlated significantly with the pitch discrimination (r = −0.51, p < 0.05) and the time-interval discrimination (r = −0.45, p < 0.05) task that were based on a fixed reference. No correlation was found for intensity discrimination based on a fixed reference, nor for a variable reference based time-interval discrimination. The correlations suggest a relationship between autistic traits and the ability to form an enhanced, stable and highly accurate representation of auditory events in the pitch and time dimensions.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank all of the participants who kindly took part in this study. This work was supported by the Wellcome Trust to TDG (WT 061136 MA) and core funding from Psychology, Heriot-Watt University to MES.

Author contributions

All authors were involved with the design of the study. MG developed the auditory tests and prepared the auditory data. MES collected and analysed the data. MG performed the bootstrap analysis. All authors discussed the results and implications and edited the manuscript at all stages.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Psychology, Heriot-Watt University, Riccarton, Edinburgh, EH14 4AS, Scotland, UK

    Mary E. Stewart

  2. Auditory Group, Institute of Neuroscience, Medical School, Framlington Place, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE2 4HH, England, UK

    Timothy D. Griffiths & Manon Grube

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  1. Mary E. Stewart
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  2. Timothy D. Griffiths
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Correspondence to Mary E. Stewart.

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Stewart, M.E., Griffiths, T.D. & Grube, M. Autistic Traits and Enhanced Perceptual Representation of Pitch and Time. J Autism Dev Disord 48, 1350–1358 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-015-2517-3

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