The Vision Lab at Old Dominion University is currently looking for volunteers ages 8 – 20 years old with and without autism for an online IRB-approved research study conducted in collaboration with Eastern Virginia Medical School. Children and young adults with autism may make and view facial expressions differently than children and young adults without autism. Video and eye-tracking can be used to study these differences. Participants interact with the researchers on Zoom and play a video game related to facial expressions while a webcam captures their facial expressions and gaze. By studying the video and eye-tracking data, we hope to identify behavioral markers that can help assess and treat children and young adults with autism.
What are the goals of the study?
The purpose of this study is to learn more about facial expressions and gaze behaviors in children and young adults with and without autism. Imaging, such as video and eye-tracking, can be used to study these differences. By studying the imaging data, we hope to identify behavioral markers that can help assess and treat children and young adults with autism.
What will happen during the visit or online?
Participants take part in two Zoom sessions with the researchers. Each Zoom session will take up to 1 hour, including breaks. In the first session, the participant will complete a brief IQ assessment. In the second session, the participant will play a video game related to facial expressions while their webcam records their reactions. Participants will also be asked to complete two take home measures (identifying emotions based on pictures of people’s eyes and a face memory test) and an optional personality questionnaire (completed by the parent for participants under the age of 18).
How will this help families?
We hope that this research will identify behavioral markers that may facilitate new computer-based tools to improve access to care and intervention at home as well as in the clinic.
