Quantifying the phenomenon of "synchronization with others" in children with autism spectrum disorder

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K14189
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 09030:Childhood and nursery/pre-school education-related
• Research Institution: Kumamoto Health Science University
• Principal Investigator: Isaki Motohiro 熊本保健科学大学, 保健科学部, 准教授 (60780210)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: 自閉スペクトラム症 / 視線 / 心の理論 / 同期 / 会話分析 / アイトラッカー

Outline of Final Research Achievements

This study examined an environment that facilitates synchronized communication for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), based on the theory of Biological Rhythm Disorder in Children with ASD, which attributes the communication characteristics of children with ASD to difficulties in synchronizing with others.
Some experiments revealed that some environments are more prone to gaze synchronization between ASD children and their parents (the topic chosen and the type of picture book selected are essential for eye synchronization) and that children with ASD are more prone to gaze synchronization as they age. In addition, we aimed to demonstrate that engaging in harmonic conversations with parents enhance children's Theory of Mind (ToM) development. Nevertheless, additional research is required.

Free Research Field

発達心理学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究の結果は、これまで定量的に実証されることの少なかったASDの生体機能リズム障害説を支持することができるものであったといえる。ASDの症状は固定的なものではなく、場面や状況によって浮動性の高いものであること、つまりASD症状と環境に相互作用があることが臨床的には明らかになっている。本研究を通して、話題や選ばれる絵本によって相手に注意を向けやすくなることが明らかとなった。AASD児にとって同期しやすいコミュニケーション場面を特定することができたので、ASD児の同期を促す療育指導方法の開発に繋げることができるだろう。