The autistic brain processes faces differently than scientists thought
A major new study reveals that autistic children’s brains process faces differently, and those differences may begin earlier than scientists previously thought.
A major new study reveals that autistic children’s brains process faces differently, and those differences may begin earlier than scientists previously thought.
The short version
- Researchers found that brain signals associated with recognizing faces become more specialized as neurotypical children grow older, but show much less change in autistic children.
- The discovery could help explain why some autistic people have difficulty recognizing faces and reading emotions.
- A major new study has uncovered important differences in how the brains of autistic children respond to human faces.
What happened
Published in Nature Mental Health , the research is among the most extensive investigations yet into how face perception works in autism. Some autistic people tend to look at faces less frequently or make less eye contact.
Why it matters
They may also find it more difficult to remember faces or interpret facial expressions compared with neurotypical individuals.
Summary by Nerd News Network. Read the full article at ScienceDaily — Top Science via the links above and below.