Cognition and behavior: Pitch perception heightened in autism (2024)

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Cognition and behavior: Pitch perception heightened in autism (1)

Animal song: Children with autism are adept at remembering which animal prefers a certain melody. They’re also better than controls at hearing a 25-cent difference in pitch (click below to listen).

Children with autism are better than controls at remembering melodies and detecting differences in pitch, according to a study published 13 November in Autism1.

People with autism may have trouble perceiving emotion, but they do have an emotional response to music — even if they can’t express it, according to some studies.

They may also have better pitch perception than controls do. According to one parent-report study, people with autism are about 500 times more likely than the general population to have absolute pitch — a savant-like skill that allows an individual to classify pitch completely out of context.

This affinity with music suggests that music could be incorporated into autism therapies, the researchers say.

In the new study, researchers looked at pitch perception in 25 children with autism and 25 typically developing children between 7 and 13 years of age. Two children in each group had played piano or had been in a band.

The children listened to pairs of single notes that were either identical or differed by 25, 35 or 45 cents — a measure of pitch. (There are 1,200 cents in an octave.) The children also listened to short melodies in which a note of the second bar occasionally varied in pitch.

Overall, children with autism are better able than controls to detect differences in pitch, the study found. These differences are statistically significant for 45-cent variations in single notes and for the 25- and 35-cent differences in melodies.

Children with autism are better than controls at detecting pitch in melodies than in single notes, suggesting an enhanced ability to detect patterns, the researchers say. Studies have shown a similar skill with visual patterns in people with the disorder.

The children also played a computer game designed to help them memorize which of four animals prefers one of four melodies, each in a different key. One week later, the children listened to these melodies again and tried to identify the associated animal.

Children with autism are better than controls at remembering the melodies, the study found. What’s more, eight children with autism, but only two controls, correctly identified at least 15 of the 16 melodies. One 8-year-old boy with autism who was fidgety and appeared not to be paying attention had a perfect score, the researchers note.

Of the 25 children with autism, 14 have an aversion to loud sounds, according to their parents. These children do not have better pitch perception than the other children with the disorder, the study found.

References:

1: Stanutz S. et al. Autism Epub ahead of print (2012) PubMed

Cognition and behavior: Pitch perception heightened in autism (2024)

FAQs

Cognition and behavior: Pitch perception heightened in autism? ›

They may also have better pitch perception than controls do. According to one parent-report study, people with autism are about 500 times more likely than the general population to have absolute pitch — a savant-like skill that allows an individual to classify pitch completely out of context.

Why do people with autism have perfect pitch? ›

Perfect pitch may be associated with certain language and behavior traits that are below the threshold for autism. Those researchers, who included Susan E. Folstein, speculated "that the gene or genes that underlie [absolute pitch] may be among the genes that contribute to autism."8 Dr.

How does autism affect sensation and perception? ›

Due to sensory sensitivities, autistic people might: display unusual sensory seeking behaviour such as sniffing objects or staring intently at moving objects. display unusual sensory avoidance behaviours including evasion of everyday sounds and textures such as hair dryers, clothing tags, vacuum cleaners and sand.

How do you explain autism to your boss? ›

There is something I would like you to know about me so you understand me better. I have an autism spectrum disorder. This means that I may communicate and interact with people a little differently than others. In terms of communication, I may process verbal instructions with more difficulty than others.

How does autism affect cognitive skills? ›

Another way that autism affects thinking is in how individuals process information. People with autism often have a different way of perceiving and processing sensory input, such as sound, touch, and sight. This can make it difficult to filter out irrelevant information and focus on important details.

How rare is someone with perfect pitch? ›

How rare is perfect pitch, and is it genetic? A commonly cited number is that approximately one in 10,000, or . 01% of people, are thought to have perfect pitch.

Is the ability to have perfect pitch common? ›

Perfect pitch is actually more common than you think. Research suggests the number hovers closer to 5/10,000 and, contrary to popular belief, it can be taught. However, few individuals can be taught to achieve the same accuracy as someone with a more innate sense of pitch.

Why do autistic people have heightened senses? ›

It is widely accepted that children with autism have a heightened sense of smell. In fact, this is backed up by a 2018 study that found that people with autism use different areas of the brain to process scents than those without autism, causing them to experience smells more intensely.

How does sensation and perception affect behavior? ›

How is 'sensation and perception' involved in behaviour? We need the combined input from our senses to tell us about what is happening in the world around us. The brain perceives and uses lots of information to work out if and when to do something in response: to act or behave.

What is hypersensitive behavior in autism? ›

Hypersensitivity in autism — This involves overreactions to one's sensory environment (i.e., a child feeling the need to cover their ears when someone sings). Hyposensitivity in autism — This involves behaviors that are under-reactions to one's environment (i.e., not responding to a loud sound).

How do you explain boundaries to an autistic person? ›

If you need to help someone with boundary issues: If they seem to stand too close to you, be kind but gently direct. For example, you could say "Could you please stand about this far apart from me when we're talking? Thanks so much." (You can raise your arm a little to give an idea of how far apart you mean.)

What is proof of autism diagnosis? ›

Proof of diagnosis can be a copy of your diagnostic report, an EHCP (where autism is mentioned) or a supporting letter from a professional.

What are reasonable accommodations for autism? ›

5 Examples of Autism Accommodations at Work
  • A flexible schedule. One of the most common ADA accommodations for autism is a flexible work schedule. ...
  • A quiet workspace. ...
  • Sensory supports. ...
  • Job coaching. ...
  • Communication tools or support. ...
  • Follow the ADA interactive process. ...
  • Support neurodiverse employees. ...
  • Ensure confidentiality.

What are the cognitive strengths of autism? ›

Autistic people may display a range of strengths and abilities that can be directly related to their diagnosis, including: Learning to read at a very early age (known as hyperlexia). Memorising and learning information quickly. Thinking and learning in a visual way.

Why do autistic people struggle with cognitive empathy? ›

For those who struggle with displaying appropriate empathetic responses, the reasons may relate more to social communication issues than a lack of underlying emotional response. Autistic people may lack the ability to recognize and label emotions, and they may have difficulty responding to social cues.

What are the cognitive goals for autism? ›

Cognitive and Problem-Solving Goals

Foster the child's ability to analyze information, make logical connections, and think flexibly. Improve the child's memory skills, including working memory and long-term memory, to support learning and retention of academic content.

Does autism affect voice pitch? ›

Autism and Voice Affect

Many autistic people lack the ability to use prosody and thus have what is often described as a "flat" voice. This can be misinterpreted as a lack of interest, intelligence, humor, or emotion.

What disease causes perfect pitch? ›

Although absolute pitch (AP) is a rare skill in typical development, individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) are often referred to as possessing this musical ability. However, there is paucity of research on the topic.

Who is the autistic singer with perfect pitch? ›

Derek Paravicini can pick up music by ear very quickly. and build wonderfully creative improvisations around.

Why are autistic people good at music? ›

Musical Abilities and Autism

Specifically, their cortical and subcortical brain regions are activated which suggests that music triggers an emotional processing even when other non-music stimuli don't have this same impact.

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