Narrative and visual attention in autism spectrum disorder: a cross-cultural perspective
-
By
-
Jiayin Xing
-
Kritika Nayar
-
Emily Landau
-
Xin Kang
-
Joseph C. Y. Lau
-
Cassandra Stevens
-
Gary E. Martin
-
Patrick C. M. Wong
-
Molly Losh
-
June 10, 2026
-
Clinical Scorecard: Cultural Influences on Narrative and Visual Attention in Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder
At a Glance
| Category | Detail |
|---|
| Condition | Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) |
| Key Mechanisms | Narrative ability influenced by cultural and linguistic factors; visual attention patterns during narration. |
| Target Population | Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder from Western (US) and Eastern (Hong Kong) cultures. |
| Care Setting | Clinical and research settings focusing on narrative competence and visual attention. |
Key Highlights
- Autistic individuals from both cultures missed key story components.
- US-ASD group showed fewer descriptions and causal attributions compared to HK-ASD group.
- Elevated rigid gaze patterns towards social stimuli observed in both cultures.
- Decreased social attention correlated with fewer descriptions of characters' thoughts/emotions.
- Cultural influences affect narrative evaluation and structure in ASD.
Guideline-Based Recommendations
Diagnosis
- Assess narrative competence and visual attention patterns in individuals with ASD.
Management
- Incorporate culturally relevant narrative practices in therapeutic settings.
Monitoring & Follow-up
- Monitor gaze patterns during storytelling to evaluate narrative quality.
Risks
- Potential for misunderstanding social cues due to narrative structure difficulties.
Patient & Prescribing Data
Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder from diverse cultural backgrounds.
Culturally-centered approaches may enhance narrative skills and social communication.
Clinical Best Practices
- Utilize cross-cultural assessments to understand narrative abilities in ASD.
- Encourage exploration of visual stimuli during narrative tasks.
- Focus on enhancing descriptive language and emotional attributions in therapy.
Related Resources & Content
