Investigating multisensory integration and categorical perception in autism

• Main Authors: Chong, Sophia Nyiuk Sing, Chan, Charlene Qing Wern, Joseph, Vanessa Joan
• Other Authors: Suzy Styles
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: 2016
• Subjects: DRNTU::Social sciences::Psychology
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66599
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of developmental disorders marked by core clinical features such as social communication impairments and repetitive behavior. The symptoms range in severity, which in turn can affect the quality of life people with autism have. Therefore, it is crucial to discover the root mechanisms behind the symptoms so that more sensitive and personalized treatments may be implemented. Drawing from a recent study involving the Bouba-Kiki task, two possible mechanisms - multisensory integration and categorical perception - that underlie behavioral impairments of autism have been identified. This paper expands on the study by connecting its results to other literature and hypothesizes that people with autism display multisensory integration deficits and atypical categorical perceptions. Limitations and future considerations are also discussed.