Brief report: the relationship between visual acuity, the embedded figures test and systemizing in autism spectrum disorders.
Sharper eyes go hand in hand with faster hidden-figure skill in males with autism.
01Research in Context
What this study did
The team tested males with autism and matched controls.
They checked vision sharpness, speed on the hidden-figure test, and interest in systems.
All tasks were short and done in one visit.
What they found
The autism group saw details more clearly and found hidden shapes faster.
Sharper vision was the best sign of better hidden-figure scores.
Systemizing scores also ran high in the same group.
How this fits with other research
Bölte et al. (2012) saw no vision edge in autism, but they tested both sexes.
Alonso Soriano et al. (2015) also found no hidden-figure boost in teens.
Muth et al. (2014) pooled many studies and still saw a small, real EFT plus for autism.
Brereton et al. (2006) first showed fewer wrong tries on the same task years earlier.
Why it matters
If your male client spots tiny pieces, use that strength for visual tasks.
Teach new skills with clear, broken-down pictures.
Do not expect the same edge in girls or teens—data are mixed.
Check vision yearly; poor glasses can hide real talent.
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02At a glance
03Original abstract
Enhanced performance upon the Embedded Figures Test (EFT) in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has informed psychological theories of the non-social aspects that characterise ASD. The Extreme Male Brain theory of autism proposes that enhanced visual acuity underpins greater attention to detail (assessed by the EFT) which is a prerequisite for Systemizing. To date, however, no study has empirically examined these relationships. 13 males with ASD and 13 male controls were assessed upon tasks argued to reflect these levels of processing. The ASD group were found to have significantly greater visual acuity, EFT performance and Systemizing ability than the control group. However, regression analysis revealed that the strongest relationship was between visual acuity and EFT performance.
Journal of autism and developmental disorders, 2012 · doi:10.1007/s10803-012-1505-0