New Autism Movement Insights from IU Columbus Researchers

Published in Frontiers in Integrative Neuroscience, the paper titled “Level of autistic traits in neurotypical adults predicts kinematic idiosyncrasies in their biological movements” is part of a special issue focused on autism and movement. This study, led by Jaime as the senior author, draws attention not only to autism but also to the interdisciplinary collaboration involved in the research. The project brings together multiple IU campuses and divisions, highlighting a truly collective effort. Gregory Lewis and Mohammad Aghajani from the Department of Intelligent Systems Engineering at IU Bloomington coauthored the paper, along with Elizabeth daSilva from the Division of Science at IU Columbus, and Surabhi Date from the Department of Kinesiology at IU Bloomington.

The research was carried out at the IU Columbus Social Neuroscience Lab using cutting-edge biomotion cameras and a novel technique for analyzing movements through computer vision. This method, which allows for an in-depth study of microlevel movements, was developed at the Luddy School of Informatics, Computing, and Engineering. Jaime spent his sabbatical there in Fall 2023, collaborating with experts to further refine the technology. The collaborative autism study is gaining significant attention for its innovative approach, which holds the potential to transform how researchers understand movement dynamics in the context of autism.

“In the past, we used body sensors to gather detailed human movement data. Now, leveraging cameras and machine learning models, we can analyze microlevel movements and decipher intricate patterns and relationships among them. This approach allows for a deeper understanding of movement dynamics using advanced technology, significantly enhancing our ability to study complex behaviors in a more nuanced manner,” Jaime explained.

The ability to gather more detailed movement data is just one of the many breakthroughs offered by this study. The new technology also offers significant advantages for expanding participant pools in future research. Jaime mentioned that recruiting participants for studies in this field has traditionally been challenging. However, with the advancement of this new technique, participants could simply upload a video of themselves for analysis, removing the need to physically attend the lab for movement recordings. This change could streamline future research efforts and broaden the scope of studies, making it easier to recruit participants from diverse backgrounds.

The dataset used for this research took about a year to collect and focused on autistic traits in neurotypical adults. It examined the connection between movement data and various factors such as personality, social features, and measures of social functioning. The study also looked at how these traits influenced significant relationships, aligning with the National Institutes of Health’s research framework for neurodevelopmental disorders. These findings provide a valuable contribution to understanding the intersection of movement and autism. Furthermore, the study opens the door to a broader conversation on how behavioral and physical aspects of autism can inform each other, laying the groundwork for future research.

Jaime is already planning additional studies related to this topic and is eager to present the findings in conferences and academic publications. In spring 2024, he launched an Introduction to Autism class at IU Columbus, a course he plans to teach again in the fall. Having been involved in autism research since 2002, and specifically in the area of movement related to autism since 2007, Jaime’s dedication to this field continues to shape both his teaching and research agenda. The collaborative autism study is an exciting step forward in his long-standing research on the topic, and he is enthusiastic about the potential implications this work may have for the future of autism studies.