The Quality of Everyday Eye Contact in Williams Syndrome: Insights from Cross-syndrome Comparisons

Ridley, E.; Arnott, B.; Riby, D.M.; Burt, M.D.; Hanley, M.; Leekam, S.R.

Abstract

Past research shows that individuals with Williams syndrome (WS) have heightened and prolonged eye contact. Using parent report measures, we examined not only the presence of eye contact but also its qualitative features. Study 1 included individuals with WS (n=22, age 6.0–36.3). Study 2 included children with different neurodevelopmental (ND) conditions (WS, autism spectrum disorder, fragile X syndrome, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder) and children with neurotypical development (NT) (n=262, age 4.0–17.11). Unusual eye contact features, including staring, were found in approximately half of the WS samples. However, other features such as brief glances were frequently found in WS and in all ND conditions, but not NT. Future research in ND conditions should focus on qualitative as well as quantitative features of eye contact.

Citation

Ridley, E., Arnott, B., Riby, D., Burt, M., Hanley, M., & Leekam, S. (2022). The Quality of Everyday Eye Contact in Williams Syndrome: Insights from Cross-syndrome Comparisons. American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, 127(4), 293-312. https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-127.4.293

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 31, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Jun 27, 2022
• Publication Date: 2022-07
• Deposit Date: Sep 23, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Sep 23, 2021
• Journal: American Journal on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Print ISSN: 1944-7515
• Publisher: American Association on Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 127
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 293-312
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1352/1944-7558-127.4.293