Journal article
Motor differences in autism during a human-robot imitative gesturing task
Clinical biomechanics (Bristol), Vol.106, pp.105987-105987
06/01/2023
DOI: 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2023.105987
PMID: 37207496
Abstract
Difficulty with imitative gesturing is frequently observed as a clinical feature of autism. Current practices for assessment of imitative gesturing ability–behavioral observation and parent report–do not allow precise measurement of specific components of imitative gesturing performance, instead relying on subjective judgments. Advances in technology allow researchers to objectively quantify the nature of these movement differences, and to use less socially stressful interaction partners (e.g., robots). In this study, we aimed to quantify differences in imitative gesturing between autistic and neurotypical development during human-robot interaction.
Thirty-five autistic (n = 19) and neurotypical (n = 16) participants imitated social gestures of an interactive robot (e.g., wave). The movements of the participants and the robot were recorded using an infrared motion-capture system with reflective markers on corresponding head and body locations. We used dynamic time warping to quantify the degree to which the participant's and robot's movement were aligned across the movement cycle and work contribution to determine how each joint angle was producing the movements.
Results revealed differences between autistic and neurotypical participants in imitative accuracy and work contribution, primarily in the movements requiring unilateral extension of the arm. Autistic individuals imitated the robot less accurately and used less work at the shoulder compared to neurotypical individuals.
These findings indicate differences in autistic participants' ability to imitate an interactive robot. These findings build on our understanding of the underlying motor control and sensorimotor integration mechanisms that support imitative gesturing in autism which may aid in identifying appropriate intervention targets.
•Current assessments of imitation do not allow precise measurement.•Motion capture and dynamic time warping provide precise measurement of imitation.•Autistic and neurotypical participants imitated several gestures performed by robot.•Autistic and neurotypical participants showed differences in imitative accuracy.•Understanding sensorimotor control for imitation can support appropriate intervention.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Motor differences in autism during a human-robot imitative gesturing task
- Creators
- Nicholas E. Fears - Louisiana State UniversityGabriela M. Sherrod - University of North TexasDanielle Blankenship - University of North TexasRita M. Patterson - University of North TexasLinda S. Hynan - The University of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterIndika Wijayasinghe - University of LouisvilleDan O. Popa - University of LouisvilleNicoleta L. Bugnariu - University of the PacificHaylie L. Miller - University of North Texas
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Clinical biomechanics (Bristol), Vol.106, pp.105987-105987
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.clinbiomech.2023.105987
- PMID
- 37207496
- NLM abbreviation
- Clin Biomech (Bristol)
- ISSN
- 0268-0033
- eISSN
- 1879-1271
- Publisher
- Elsevier Ltd
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 06/01/2023
- Academic Unit
- Health, Sport, and Human Physiology
- Record Identifier
- 9985219293902771
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