Autistic traits and sensitivity to interference with flavour identification.

TitleAutistic traits and sensitivity to interference with flavour identification.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2013
AuthorsClark, AIrene, Hughes, PS, Grube, M, Stewart, MElizabeth
JournalAutism Res
Volume6
Issue5
Pagination332-6
Date Published2013 Oct
ISSN1939-3806
KeywordsAdolescent, Adult, Association Learning, Attention, Beverages, Child Development Disorders, Pervasive, Color Perception, Conflict (Psychology), Discrimination Learning, Female, Humans, Male, Recognition (Psychology), Surveys and Questionnaires, Taste Perception, Young Adult
Abstract

We assessed whether autistic traits are related to the ability to identify flavour. In general, the colour of the food or drink facilitates identification of its flavour. In the current study, the colour of drinks either provided congruent, incongruent or ambiguous (colourless) information about the flavour. Participants identified the flavours of 12 drinks from a list and completed a measure of autistic traits, the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). In line with previous studies, flavour identification was impaired in incongruent conditions, while identification in congruent conditions was not improved when compared with that in ambiguous conditions. AQ scores were related to flavour identification in incongruent conditions, in that as the AQ score increased, accuracy of flavour identification decreased. There were no relationships found in the congruent or ambiguous conditions. This finding is in line with the idea that conflicting sensory information may be more disruptive for individuals on the autism spectrum.

DOI10.1002/aur.1293
Alternate JournalAutism Res
PubMed ID23576375