A Research On Self-face Recognition And Processing Of The Children With Autism

The core obstacle of autism is the social interaction difficulties, however, some aspects ofthe impaired self may be hidden behind the social damage. Face recognition and processingplay an important function in social interaction. Still, self-face recognition and processingreflect the most basic of self-development. In order to explore the self-development aspectsof autism, we use the classic mirror test experimental paradigm and Eye-tracking technologyto reflect the self-face recognition and processing of autism.8selected children with autismwhose ages range from2to4, completed the task of the mirror test. The whole process hasbeen photographed. And the data derived from video analysis. One of Eye-trackingexperiments uses self-face, new friend’s face and unfamiliar faces for materials, while theother uses familiar face, new friend’s face and unfamiliar faces for materials. The results areshowed as Follows:(1) The autistic children show the ability of self-face recognition, which occurs at aboutthree years old and is affected by mature.(2) The children with autism show weak self-face processing ability, not only in overallface, but also in inner character face.(3) The autism children show characteristic eye avoidance in self-face, new friend’s faceand unfamiliar except familiar face.(4) The self-face and familiar face gain a great of advantages in face-processing of theautism children, whether in overall face, or in inner character face.(5) The eyes of face that have been found as the most important facial characteristicsattract the most attentions.In short, the autism children have the ability of self-face recognition, while the ability ofself-face processing was significantly impaired.