People with high autistic traits show electrical brain signals of anxiety when they see social contact and report unpleasantness in social contact compared to people who are low in autistic traits, according to a new university study.
"Until today it was clear that many people on the autistic continuum have an aversion to contact. Following the current study, we understand that they actually experience this contact with characteristics similar to the characteristics of anxiety," said Leahia Feld-Evron, a doctoral student from the Department of Psychology, who conducted the study.
The autism spectrum is a developmental disorder characterized by difficulties in the ability to create, understand and maintain social relationships. About 70%-80% suffer from over- or under-sensitivity to nerve stimulation in the various senses such as: sight, touch and taste, when some parents of autistic children report that their children become stiff during physical contact, they try to avoid this contact and prefer to be touched on their own terms. However, until now, it was not clear to the researchers what causes this sensitivity and above all - what is the feeling that people feel on the continuum when they are exposed to touch.
In the current study published in the prestigious journal Autism Research Conducted by Prof. Simon Shamai Tzuri and doctoral student Lihya Feld-Evron from the university's psychology department, the researchers wanted to test the differences in the brain response between people on the autistic spectrum and people who are not at the threshold for social interaction that includes contact between people.
Fifty-four subjects were divided into two groups: one group on the autistic continuum with high social functioning and a second group without autistic characteristics. The subjects viewed 260 photos in four different conditions: social contact between two people photographed in natural conditions, among others, shopping malls, parties, social gatherings and more. Social interaction between those people only without contact, contact between everyday objects and everyday objects that do not touch them.
The results of the study show that the people on the autistic spectrum reported unpleasantness when they watched social contact, compared to people who are not on the spectrum. An examination of their brain waves revealed that when they watched a social interaction involving touch, the electrical signals in their brains were those that are recognized as signals of a person in anxiety. It was also found that the brain signals of anxiety increase as there are more autistic characteristics, so the higher a person is diagnosed on the spectrum, the higher their brain signals and may indicate greater anxiety from social contact. When the subjects watched the same social interactions without the touch, these signals were not found, indicating that it was the touch that caused the anxiety and not the social interaction. "Electrical signals similar to the ones we found were found in studies on phobias. If a person suffers from a specific trauma and we show them the object of the trauma, we will find electrical singles that are identical to the electrical singles we found in the study," said Feld-Evron.
"The results of the study advance us to better understand the people who are diagnosed on the autism spectrum. Social contact is an integral part of our lives - in happy and sad events - and now it can be understood that some people on the autistic spectrum experience all those events as anxiety provoking. Beyond our understanding of them - this insight can greatly help therapists who will be able to offer treatment focused on contact anxiety similar to treatment focused on phobias, whether it's psychological therapy or drug therapy," the researchers concluded.
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Shay, you are amazing. It's fun to read your comments (you see that you are really smart, much more than the rest of the people in the world)
I am the father of two like you, and I never could understand the feelings behind these things, until I read your words. You articulated everything clearly and amazingly
gift
Thanks so much for your response.
I think whoever is autistic
Knows that he is autistic even without calling it a specific name because it's just a name and it exists like an imaginary friend that doesn't leave and you learn to live with it
Or at least try to
Can't sleep.. Another autistic problem.. So maybe I'll try to explain to you how the world looks from our narrow prism.
By the way, I am narrowing down the terminology and concepts from your side only for the purpose of communication.. oxymoron h.
Anyway. Why don't autistic people look at the poor.. a welfare officer told me. Whoever doesn't look at the poor is probably lying.. so not true. Autistics find it difficult to lie as they do not have innate social skills.. Again social injections are your concept.
I don't look at the poor like I don't check what you have in your pockets and I expect that you won't interrogate me either or at least don't enter my private space.
But that's different.. that's not the whole story..
When you look at poor people you are actually creating a communication of gestures. smiles Anger, all kinds of things like that. And I prefer to turn off this communication channel.
Also because of hypersensitivity, for example, to people's anger. But also because I try not to call you on such a channel. It creates anxiety, lack of understanding and lack of talent.
I will give you an example. We have Yehuda at work and he is a master of manipulation.. He uses looks in order to speak in a way that is not direct and creates anxiety in non-autistic people. So why would I go into this corner.. I stopped wearing glasses and I can't see him at all. If he has something to say, let him open his mouth.. I don't get along with all the manipulations of angry, happy, love, hate.. He is not my friend, I don't want that kind of interaction with him at all.. All in all, a pleasant working relationship as much as possible. can you help? Can you help the customer? This. . For my part, he won't say hello.
Dear Shuli, what did you expect?
Rather, we will see a study with conclusions that can possibly lead to a certain treatment of the situation. And if not, then at least bring us closer there.
Your attitude shows a. that you don't understand how the world of science progresses and measures itself b. that you don't understand
Autism feels like post-traumatic stress. We are thought to be emotionless animals but we are hypersensitive. Every touch creates a reaction.
Many autistic people, myself included, have become a punching bag.
I work in a nursery.. I'll tell you, but it looks from the side. My colleagues said that I interpret every sharp statement or raising my voice as violence. This is absolutely true. I don't know how to deal with violence at all. So I shut down. I'll tell you how it looks from my side..
like a jungle The same rules.. the strong and the unfit survives.. an autist is seen at best as weak in another case as if he has a malicious intent to do this way and to mean otherwise. In short, we become a focal point for all frustrations and anger. Sometimes just out of sadism and fun. And where does the parallel to post-trauma begin? We have no nose to escape, so we close ourselves and live the pain
Yesterday someone touched me at work. A kind of friendly pat and it ignited a reluctance in me. I immediately jumped back. Yes I am on the spectrum. Level 2. It was in the middle of a friendly conversation. I immediately came back to myself.. He said sorry his wife is social and he understands the feelings. Yes I told him. It's suddenly daunting. I know all the aunts and uncles from childhood with their pinches and kisses and hugs.. it feels like rape. I know and love touch, but not from everyone, not that it's forced. Think we are a little more sensitive and then if someone suddenly touches it it jumps.
Dear Leahia Feld-Evron - as a mother of a high autistic child you are exploring another empty bubble.
To study autistic behavior is an insult to science. You found a coin under the lamp.
To research autism you need an initial intention and it is not "writing an article"
You did not understand the article. It is noted that the electrical signals during anxiety, especially in those with high functioning, are similar to those in people who are not on the spectrum. They experience social interaction in a slightly different way that you can understand when you experience anxiety. They did not come to crucify the anxious, just to explain what goes through their minds.
I know so many people who have difficulties making connections...so why are they all autistic?
According to this article every child who is "unacceptable" "shy" "unsociable" or who suffers from social difficulties is "on the autistic spectrum"
I once heard a lecture by a psychiatrist who claimed that everyone can be diagnosed with mental illness, and his definition of a mental patient is only how much it interferes with his functioning in life.