Understanding visual perception skills in autism spectrum disorder: A systematic review
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Abstract
Background: Visual perception in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can vary, often showcasing both strengths and challenges. Many individuals with ASD excel in detail-oriented processing, allowing them to focus on fine details rather than the overall picture, which can be advantageous in tasks requiring attention to small details, such as visual search and pattern recognition. Understanding these unique aspects of visual perception in ASD is crucial for developing tailored interventions and support strategies to enhance visual processing abilities and overall social functioning.
Objective: To understand the visual perception skills in autism spectrum disorder.
Materials and methods: The systematic review was registered in PROSPERO and followed the guidelines of PRISMA. A comprehensive search was conducted through the databases (Scopus, PubMed, ProQuest, EBSCOhost, and OTseeker) and printed journals. Studies were included if they focused on visual perception skills in children with autism aged 3-12 years, were peer-reviewed, published between January 2014 and February 2024, and were available in full-text in English. The AXIS Tool for Cross Sectional Studies was used to conduct the critical appraisal.
Results: 19141 studies were derived for database search and 932 from printed journals. A total of sixteen (N=16) studies were identified within the scope of our study. AXIS Tool for Cross-sectional studies was used to evaluate the quality of the sixteen studies. Visual perception skills in ASD have yielded diverse findings, such as perceptual bias, enhanced visual processing, enhanced visual search, and differences in visual processing speed. The review suggested that visual perception impairments are commonly seen in ASD, impacting their functional independence. The review also highlights the importance of understanding the basis of visual perception impairments in this population.
Conclusion: The systematic review concludes that visual perception deficits are one of the primary deficits in autism spectrum disorder. Furthermore, the review reflects on the complex and diverse nature of visual perception skills exhibited by individuals with autism spectrum disorder. These deficits impact overall performance in everyday functioning, especially self-care, academics, and socialization.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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