Parent-child dyadic gaze patterns in fragile X males and in non-fragile X males with autistic disorder

Abstract

Parent-child dyadic gaze patterns were examined in fragile X [fra(X)] males and in non-fra(X) autistic males across three age groups--early childhood, middle childhood and adolescence. Absolute probabilities of social gaze did not significantly differ across diagnostic groups. Event lag sequential analyses indicated that fra(X) males were sensitive to social gaze initiation by their parents but found eye contact aversive. Non-fra(X) autistic males, by contrast, were insensitive to parent-initiated social gaze, and did not find eye contact aversive. Implications for research on the social characteristics of fra(X) and autistic children are discussed.