Learning Analytics Using Eye Tracking-based Biomarkers on Serious Games for Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Social interaction deficits are a core feature of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), often rooted in atypical attentional processing of socially relevant information. A research protocol is proposed to investigate facial emotion processing and attentional switching in ASD to better understand mechanisms of social dysfunction and inform sensor-based learning analytics in serious games. A sample of individuals with ASD as well as neuro-typical (NT) controls will complete a standardized psychological test battery and two computer-based eye-tracking tasks using advanced eye tracking technology as well as wearable bio-signal monitoring. The envisioned tasks include (1) an emotion recognition and regulation test (ERRT) comparing responses to real versus artificial emotional faces, and (2) a cognitive control test implemented with the antisaccade paradigm evaluating attentional orienting and inhibitory control on the basis of reactions to the presentation of emotionally loaded stimuli. Physiological (eye movement, pupillary, heart rate) and psychological data will be analyzed for correlations with emotion recognition and regulation performance.