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Molecular Autism
Published in: Molecular Autism 1/2013

Open Access 01-12-2013 | Research

Is synaesthesia more common in autism?

Authors: Simon Baron-Cohen, Donielle Johnson, Julian Asher, Sally Wheelwright, Simon E Fisher, Peter K Gregersen, Carrie Allison

Published in: Molecular Autism | Issue 1/2013

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Abstract

Background

Synaesthesia is a neurodevelopmental condition in which a sensation in one modality triggers a perception in a second modality. Autism (shorthand for Autism Spectrum Conditions) is a neurodevelopmental condition involving social-communication disability alongside resistance to change and unusually narrow interests or activities. Whilst on the surface they appear distinct, they have been suggested to share common atypical neural connectivity.

Methods

In the present study, we carried out the first prevalence study of synaesthesia in autism to formally test whether these conditions are independent. After exclusions, 164 adults with autism and 97 controls completed a synaesthesia questionnaire, Autism Spectrum Quotient, and Test of Genuineness-Revised (ToG-R) online.

Results

The rate of synaesthesia in adults with autism was 18.9% (31 out of 164), almost three times greater than in controls (7.22%, 7 out of 97, P<0.05). ToG-R proved unsuitable for synaesthetes with autism.

Conclusions

The significant increase in synaesthesia prevalence in autism suggests that the two conditions may share some common underlying mechanisms. Future research is needed to develop more feasible validation methods of synaesthesia in autism.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Is synaesthesia more common in autism?
Authors
Simon Baron-Cohen
Donielle Johnson
Julian Asher
Sally Wheelwright
Simon E Fisher
Peter K Gregersen
Carrie Allison
Publication date
01-12-2013
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Molecular Autism / Issue 1/2013
Electronic ISSN: 2040-2392
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/2040-2392-4-40

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