Biological Motion Detection

Many people have no difficulty in walking along the street and identifying someone walking past, amongst moving leaves and cars. But recent research has shown that many people with autism have difficulties in detecting and interpreting human movement. The aim of this current project is to understand why people with autism show such difficulties.

By using brain imaging and special experimental techniques we hope to better understand the brain processes involved in detecting human movement in people with autism.

This research is funded by the Institute of Medical Sciences and the Medical Research Council.

From earliest infancy, a typically developing child imitates or mirrors the facial expressions, postures and gestures, and emotional behavior of others. Where does this capacity come from, and what function does it serve? What happens when imitation is impaired? Research suggests that early imitative deficits exist in autism and might help explain the more overt social and communication problems of older children and adults.