Attenuated behavioral interpersonal synchrony in autistic adults is not explained by perception

• DOI: 10.31219/osf.io/j4gdx
• Publication Date: 2024-08-08T20:33:20Z
• Authors: Afton M. Bierlich; Nanja Scheel; Jana C. Koehler; Carola Bloch; Irene Sophia Plank; Christine Falter-...

Interpersonal synchrony (IPS), or the temporal coordination of behavior interaction partners during social exchange, mediates natural interactions and rapport. Attenuated IPS has been shown between autistic individuals their partners; however, mechanisms this attenuation remain unclear. One possibility could lie in perceiving timing others’ behaviors. The present study aimed to relate behavioral production with perception dynamics event non-autistic adults. Autistic participants engaged naturalistic conversations a stranger, who was naïve participant’s diagnostic status. Behavioral computed using automatic video-based analysis. Participants reported experiences perceived partner, as measure interaction. A perceptual simultaneity task measured nonsocial context. Bayesian linear mixed models were used evaluate effects ratings thresholds on IPS. Expectedly, reduced for dyads including an adult. Neither ratings, nor thresholds, associated without These findings hint that attenuated may not result from atypical behaviors perception. We speculate other cognitive underlie is often observed individuals.