Vestibular Stimulation and Eye Contact in Autistic Children

B. A. Slavik; J. Kitsuwa-Lowe; P. T. Danner; J. Green; A. J. Ayres

doi:10.1055/s-2008-1052337

Neuropediatrics, Table of Contents

Neuropediatrics 1984; 15(1): 33-36
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1052337

Vestibular Stimulation and Eye Contact in Autistic Children

B. A. Slavik¹ , J. Kitsuwa-Lowe² , P. T. Danner³ , J. Green⁴ , A. J. Ayres⁵

¹White Memorial Medical Center, Los Angeles, California, and Ayres Clinic, Torrance, California, USA
²Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
³University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland
⁴Easter Seal Society, San Francisco, California, and in private practice
⁵Ayres Clinic, Torrance, California, and the University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, USA

Abstract

PDF Download

Abstract

Five autistic boys ages 5-1 to 5-10 were studied to determine whether stimulation of the macular receptors of the inner ear through linear motion influences the boys' eye contact with the investigators. The duration of eye contact was measured during linear motion on a motor-driven oscillator and on two hand-operated swings and compared to the duration of eye contact when the macular receptors were not stimulated. Because the boys varied in cooperation, the tests could not be performed using the same apparatus with each child; therefore results were analyzed separately for each child. Four of the five boys showed longer eye contact while on the motor driven oscillator (p < .0005), and two of these also showed longer contact when on a manually operated swing (p < .025). The fifth child resisted the use of the oscillator and did not show longer eye contact while on it (p > .05), but did so when on two different swings (p < .005).

Key words

Vestibular system - Autism - Gaze - Aversion

PDF (138 kb)