Resource type
Date created
2016-11-11
Authors/Contributors
Abstract
Background A prominent diagnostic criterion of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) relates to the abnormal or diminished use of facial expressions. Yet little is known about the mechanisms that contribute to this feature of ASD. Methods We showed children with and without ASD emotionally charged video clips in order to parse out individual differences in spontaneous production of facial expressions using automated facial expression analysis software. Results Using hierarchical multiple regression, we sought to determine whether alexithymia (characterized by difficulties interpreting one’s own feeling states) contributes to diminished facial expression production. Across groups, alexithymic traits—but not ASD traits, IQ, or sex—were associated with quantity of facial expression production. Conclusions These results accord with a growing body of research suggesting that many emotion processing abnormalities observed in ASD may be explained by co-occurring alexithymia. Developmental and clinical considerations are discussed, and it is argued that alexithymia is an important but too often ignored trait associated with ASD that may have implications for subtyping individuals on the autism spectrum.
Document
Identifier
DOI: 10.1186/s13229-016-0108-6
Published as
Trevisan, D. A., Bowering, M., & Birmingham, E. (2016). Alexithymia, but not autism spectrum disorder, may be related to the production of emotional facial expressions. Molecular Autism, 7(46), 1-12. DOI: 10.1186/s13229-016-0108-6
Publication details
Publication title
Molecular Autism
Document title
Alexithymia, but not Autism Spectrum Disorder, may be Related to the Production of Emotional Facial Expressions
Date
2016
Volume
7
Issue
46
First page
1
Last page
12
Publisher DOI
10.1186/s13229-016-0108-6
Rights (standard)
Copyright statement
Copyright is held by the author(s).
Scholarly level
Peer reviewed?
Yes
Language
English
Member of collection
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