Atypical Audio-Visual Neural Synchrony and Speech Processing in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Background: Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) often exhibit communication difficulties that may stem from basic auditory temporal integration impairment but also be aggravated by an audio-visual integration deficit, resulting in a lack of interest in face-to-face communication. This study addresses whether speech processing anomalies in young (mean age 3.09-year-old) children with ASD are associated with alterations of audio-visual temporal integration. Methods: We used high-density electroencephalography (HD-EEG) and eye tracking to record brain activity and gaze patterns in 31 children (6 females) with ASD and 33 typically developing (TD) children (11 females), while they watched cartoon videos. Neural responses to temporal audio-visual stimuli were analyzed using Temporal Response Functions model and phase analyses for audiovisual temporal coordination. Results: The reconstructability of speech signals from auditory responses was reduced in children with ASD compared to