The quality of everyday eye contact in Williams Syndrome: insights from cross-syndrome comparisons

Ridley, Ellen, Arnott, Bronia, Riby, Deborah M., Burt, Michael D., Hanley, Mary and Leekam, Susan R. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1122-0135 2022. The quality of everyday eye contact in Williams Syndrome: insights from cross-syndrome comparisons. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities 127 (4) , pp. 293-312. 10.1352/1944-7558-127.4.293

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Abstract

Past research shows that individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) have heightened and prolonged eye contact. Using parent report measures, we examined not only the presence of eye contact but also its qualitative features. Study 1 included individuals with WS (n = 22, ages 6.0–36.3). Study 2 included children with different neurodevelopmental (ND) conditions (WS, autism spectrum condition, fragile X syndrome, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder) and children with neurotypical development (NT; n = 262, ages 4.0–17.11). Unusual eye contact features, including staring, were found in approximately half of the WS samples. However, other features such as brief glances were frequently found in WS and in all ND conditions, but not NT. Future research in ND conditions should focus on qualitative as well as quantitative features of eye contact.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Psychology Cardiff University Centre for Human Development Science (CHDS)
Publisher:	American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (AAIDD)
ISSN:	1944-7558
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	4 October 2021
Date of Acceptance:	31 August 2021
Last Modified:	10 Nov 2023 00:35
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/144640

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