Demonstration of a Novel Face-Processing and Production Intervention Program for Autism

• In Event: Translating Scientific and Technological Advances From the Laboratory to the Classroom: It’s About Time

Abstract

Objective:
We will present research has shown that children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are impaired in their ability to perceive and produce facial expressions. The Let’s Face It ! program is a computer-based intervention designed to improve the face perception skills of children with ASD. In a randomized clinical trial, it was found that 20 hours of face training with the LFI! program was sufficient to improve the face recognition skills of children with ASD compared to a control group of children with ASD (Tanaka, et al., 2010).

Theoretical Framework:
In the current study, we examine the effects of an innovative training program targeting the production of facial expressions. To train expression production, we employed the Computer Emotion Recognition Toolbox (CERT) program (Bartlett, Littlewort, Frank, Lainscsek, & Movellan, 2006). CERT is a video processing program that detects frontal-faces in a live video stream and codes facial activity with respect to 40 dimensions, including the basic emotions of happy, sad, anger, disgust, surprise and fear. Using CERT, we developed a new Let’s Face It! game called “FaceMaze” (Cockburn, Bartlett, Tanaka, Movellan, & Schultz, 2008). In FaceMaze, players navigate through a labyrinth by removing face tokens. In order to remove the tokens, players are required to produce and maintain the target expression of happy or angry. CERT detects the target expression via webcam input, rates the quality of the expression and provides real time feedback to the player.

Methods:
In Experiment 1, participants were given a pre-training assessment in which they were required to pose facial expressions corresponding to the emotions of “happy” and “angry.” During production, we employed electromyographic (EMG) methods to record the participant’s facial muscle activity at the corner of the mouth (Zygomaticus Major) and the brow (Currogator Supercili). These muscle groups correspond to the Happy and Angry expressions, respectively. Participants then played the Happy or Angry version of the FaceMaze game, followed by a post-training assessment. In Experiment 2, naïve participants rated randomly presented videos of the pre- and post-FaceMaze facial expressions based on their quality.

Results:
Results from Experiment 1 revealed an enhancement of expression production for happy and angry expressions as indicated by increased activity in the Zygomaticus Major and Currogator Supercilli muscles after playing the Happy and Angry versions of the FaceMaze, respectively. In Experiment 2, it was found that naïve participants rated the quality of the post-FaceMaze productions of the target expression reliably higher than pre-FaceMaze productions.

Scientific Significance:
The EMG finding from Experiment 1 and the expressions ratings from Experiment 2 indicate that the FaceMaze program is a promising new treatment for enhancing face processing skills. In future research, we will test the efficacy of the program with children on the autism spectrum. This research project has the potential to provide a low-cost treatment that will enhance the social-emotional skills of children with special learning needs. The Let’s Face It! software can be downloaded at no-charge from our website: web.uvic.ca/~letsface/letsfaceit.

Author

• Jim Tanaka, University of Victoria