Social Motor Synchronization: Insights for Understanding Social Behavior in Autism. J Autism Dev Disord 2017 Jul;47(7):2092-2107
Date
04/21/2017Pubmed ID
28425022DOI
10.1007/s10803-017-3124-2Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85018503153 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 53 CitationsAbstract
Impairments in social interaction and communication are critical features of ASD but the underlying processes are poorly understood. An under-explored area is the social motor synchronization that happens when we coordinate our bodies with others. Here, we explored the relationships between dynamical measures of social motor synchronization and assessments of ASD traits. We found (a) spontaneous social motor synchronization was associated with responding to joint attention, cooperation, and theory of mind while intentional social motor synchronization was associated with initiating joint attention and theory of mind; and (b) social motor synchronization was associated with ASD severity but not fully explained by motor problems. Findings suggest that objective measures of social motor synchronization may provide insights into understanding ASD traits.
Author List
Fitzpatrick P, Romero V, Amaral JL, Duncan A, Barnard H, Richardson MJ, Schmidt RCAuthor
Joseph L. Amaral PhD Assistant Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AttentionAutistic Disorder
Communication
Female
Humans
Interpersonal Relations
Male
Movement
Psychomotor Performance
Theory of Mind
