Development of Eye-tracking Based Markers for Autism in Young Children

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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The main aim of the present study is to examine eye-tracking based markers for social processing deficits in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). To this end a battery of five eye-tracking paradigms will be administered to young children with ASD and typically developing children. To additionally evaluate the specificity of the eye-tracking markers a group of children with disorders of delayed development other than ASD will be included.

Detailed Description
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During an initial screening session all participants will undergo the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS). ASD-related symptomatology and levels of impairments will be further characterized using the Social Responsibilities Scale 2 (SRS 2), Caregiver Strain Questionnaire (CSQ), Aberrant Behavior Checklist (ABC), Social Communication Questionnaire (SCQ), and Repetitive Behaviour Scale Revised (RBS-R). Subsequently all participants will be administered the following eye-tracking paradigms: (1) dynamic social and non-social visual preference paradigm during which dynamic geometric images (DGI) and dynamic social images (DSI) will be presented, (2) non-biological versus biological motion paradigm, (3) social attention and sharing of enjoyment paradigm, (4) preference for real versus schematic emotional face stimuli paradigm during which photographs of human faces and emoticons will be presented, (5) shared social attention and gaze direction paradigm.

Official Title
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Evaluation of Five Different Eye-tracking Paradigms to Determine Autism in Young Children

Conditions
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Autism Spectrum Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Other: Administration of five eye-tracking paradigms


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Exclusion criteria for all participants: visual, auditory or motor impairments use of medication Inclusion criteria for all participants: written informed consent from parents / caregiver age: 1-10 years Additional inclusion criterion for the ASD group: - diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder according to DSM-5 Additional inclusion criteria for typically developing children in the control group: no symptoms of developmental disorders no current or history of psychological disorder Additional inclusion criterion for the unspecific disorder of delayed development children in the additional control group: - disorder of delayed development other than ASD

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 12 Months
Maximum Age: 10 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder<br>Children with an Autism Spectrum Disorder according to DSM-5 criteria | Other: Administration of five eye-tracking paradigms<br>* All subjects will undergo the battery of five eye-tracking paradigms to determine potential markers for autism.<br>|
| Typically Developing Children<br>Typically developing children | Other: Administration of five eye-tracking paradigms<br>* All subjects will undergo the battery of five eye-tracking paradigms to determine potential markers for autism.<br>|
| Children with Delayed Development Disorders<br>Children with Delayed Developmental Disorders other than ASD | Other: Administration of five eye-tracking paradigms<br>* All subjects will undergo the battery of five eye-tracking paradigms to determine potential markers for autism.<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Global eye-gaze characteristics | Global eye-gaze patterns between the three groups will be compared to determine ASD specific alterations | Single assessment, total duration 20 minutes | 
| Feature-specific eye-gaze characteristics | Localized feature-specific eye-gaze patterns will be compared between the three groups to determine ASD specific alterations | Single assessment, total duration 20 minutes | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Global eye-gaze characteristics and associations with symptom severity | Associations between global eye-gaze characteristics and severity of ASD symptoms | Single assessment, total duration 20 minutes | 
| Feature-specific eye-gaze characteristics and associations with symptom severity | Associations between localized feature-specific eye-gaze patterns and severity of ASD symptoms | Single assessment, total duration 20 minutes | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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eye tracking, visual preference