Face Perception in Autism Spectrum Disorder: From Singular to Modular Perspectives

Abstract

In the last few decades, the media have continuously reported on the increased number of diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). This systematic review looks at the evolution of research on face perception, one of the characteristics of ASD, in the light of recently reported prevalence of alexythimia comorbidity, as well as improved statistical methods in cognitive research. We review the literature on behavioural face perception testing in autism, showing the importance of a prevalent comorbidity of alexythimia, as well as neural evidence showing the importance of differential eye gaze patterns in autism for data analysis. We suggest outstanding questions in the field in order to improve the integration of people with ASD and alexithymia into the educational and social contexts.

Keywords

• autism
• alexythimia
• face perception
• visual perception
• fusiform gyrus
• amygdala