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Eye-Tracking in Infants and Young Children at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Visual Stimuli in Experimental Paradigms

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Abstract

Eye-tracking represents a sensitive, direct measure of gaze allocation and goal-directed looking behaviors that correspond to visual information processing. Clear definitions and standardization of research protocols to document the utility and feasibility of these methods are warranted. This systematic review provides an account of stimuli dimensions and experimental paradigms used in eye-tracking research for young children at risk for ASD published from 2005 through 2019. This review identifies variability in eye-tracking protocols and heterogeneity of stimuli used for eye-tracking as factors that undermine the value of eye-tracking as an objective, reliable screening tool. We underscore the importance of sharing eye-tracking stimuli to enhance replicability of findings and more importantly the need to develop a bank of publicly available, validated stimuli.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 41230, Lubbock, TX, 79409-1230, USA

    Ann M. Mastergeorge & Jessica Blume

  2. Department of Laboratory Sciences and Primary Care, School of Medicine Department of Psychiatry, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center School of Health Professions, Lubbock, TX, USA

    Chanaka Kahathuduwa

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  1. Ann M. Mastergeorge
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AMM conceptualized and wrote the majority of this manuscript. CK provided substantial feedback, organized the Table and wrote some portions of the manuscript. JP contributed to the Table contents, contributed to the writing and substantial editing of the manuscript.

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Mastergeorge, A.M., Kahathuduwa, C. & Blume, J. Eye-Tracking in Infants and Young Children at Risk for Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Systematic Review of Visual Stimuli in Experimental Paradigms. J Autism Dev Disord 51, 2578–2599 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-020-04731-w

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