Abstract
Despite challenges in social communication skills people with ASD often display strengths in visual processing. Aerial photography analysis is an occupation reliant on strong visual processing skills that matches this unique profile. We investigated basic-vision and “real-life” visual tasks in 20 cognitively-able young adults with ASD and 20 typically-developed (TD) “gamers”. Basic-vision tests included Visual-Search, Embedded-Figures, and Vigilance; “real-life” tests included aerial-photograph detection and identification. Groups performed equally well, and did not differ significantly on any tasks. The study demonstrates strong visual skills in people with ASD in basic and “real-life” settings, and supports the idea that they may be well suited for employment in occupations that demand high visual perception skills such as aerial photography analysis.
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Acknowledgment
The authors disclosed receipt of the following financial support for the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article: this work was supported by IMOD (Israel Ministry of Defense)/DDR&D (Directorate of Defense Research & Development)
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HM, YSB, RK, and EG conceived and designed the study. HM developed the experiments, collected the data, analyzed the results, and wrote the manuscript. YSB contributed to the data analyses and presentation, and to the writing of the manuscript. DH, YG, EG and RK contributed to the writing of the manuscript.
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Marciano, H., Gal, E., Kimchi, R. et al. Visual Detection and Decoding Skills of Aerial Photography by Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). J Autism Dev Disord 52, 1346–1360 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05039-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-021-05039-z