Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Better Late Than Never? Reduced Psychophysiological Response To A Human Intruder In High-Functioning Autism, J. Dee Higley, Mikle South, Paul Chamberlain, Oliver Johnston

Student Works

Background: In addition to core impairments in social communication, many individuals diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) experience severe and debilitating symptoms of anxiety. Characterization of both shared and distinct neural mechanisms in ASD and anxiety may give insight into the neurodevelopmental course of ASD and improve the specificity of intervention techniques. Our aim was to measure both physiological and behavioral responses to an anxiety-provoking situation where a stranger intrudes on the environment. In monkey studies and in the wild, such situations tend to be accompanied by increased vigilance but decreased physical activity in order to avoid detection.