Research: Systemizing Empathy: Teaching Adults with Asperger Syndrome or High-Functioning Autism to Recognize Complex Emotions Using Interactive Multimedia

Authored by Golan, O., and Baron-Cohen S. in Development and Psychopathology, Volume 18, Issue 2, p. 591-617, (2006).

Article summary (posted Dec 6, 2006):

The computer program Mind Reading is able to help adults with autism learn to recognize complex emotions.

Individuals with autism spectrum conditions have trouble recognizing emotions from faces, voices, and eyes. Mind Reading was able to teach this skill even when it was only used for a short period of time (20 hours over 10 weeks). The adults who participated in this study reported that after using the Mind Reading software, they were more willing to look at people and make eye contact. The authors suggest that an improved ability to read emotions may result in improved confidence and willingness to interact with others. In this experiment, individuals using Mind Reading were compared to individuals receiving no therapy.

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You can access the original abstract and the complete paper is sometimes available for free via Google Scholar (look for entries that say "PDF" or "HTML" on the right side of the page).
adults with autism, Asperger Syndrome, autism, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), confidence, emotion, empathy, high-functioning autism, interaction, Mind Reading, read, software, therapy
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