Duration of Moment in Autism (DOMA)

Evaluation of Visual Perception Development in Autism: Duration of a Moment

This study investigates the temporal dynamics of perception and attention in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), focusing on two key phenomena: the Temporal Integration Window (TIW) and the attentional blink. Using eye-tracking, 3- and 5-year-old children with ASD (prototypical or not) will be compared to age-matched neurotypical peers.

The investigators hypothesize that children with ASD exhibit shorter TIWs and attentional blinks, reflecting faster perceptual sampling and attentional processing. These characteristics may contribute to sensory hypersensitivity and difficulties in complex, unpredictable environments such as social situations. The protocol includes two experimental tasks.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Intervention / Treatment: Behavioral: Temporal Integration Window task; Behavioral: Attentional Blink task

Detailed Description

The study is a multicenter research project that aims to investigate the temporal dynamics of visual perception and attention in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), including both prototypical and non-prototypical subgroups. It compares these groups to age-matched neurotypical peers. The study focuses on two distinct cognitive phenomena:

Temporal Integration Window (TIW) : a pre-attentive perceptual mechanism that determines the time frame within which visual information is integrated into a unified percept. In typically developing adults, this window is estimated to be around 65 milliseconds. Prior research suggests that children with ASD may have a shorter TIW, indicating faster perceptual sampling.

Attentional Blink (AB) : a post-perceptual phenomenon reflecting limitations in attentional resources. When two targets are presented in rapid succession, the second target is often missed if it follows too closely after the first. The duration of the attentional blink is thought to decrease with age and maturation. Previous studies have shown that attentional blink is already present at 5 months of age and shortens during development.

The central hypothesis is that both TIW and AB durations might be shorter in children with ASD, reflecting faster perceptual and attentional processing. This accelerated dynamic could contribute to sensory hypersensitivity and difficulty coping with complex or unpredictable environments, such as those involving social stimuli.

A total of 228 children will participate, divided into six groups.

Each participant will complete two eye-tracking tasks during a single session lasting approximately one hour:

• The TIW task
• The Attentional Blink task

Developmental level is assessed using validated tools: the Mullen Scales of Early Learning, VINELAND-2 or the IDE questionnaire, depending on the child's group.

The study will also examine whether the prototypical ASD subgroup, as defined by clinical criteria shows distinct perceptual profiles, and whether age or developmental level influences temporal dynamics.

This study aims to better understand early perceptual and attentional processes in autism.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 228
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Sara DOCHEZ; Phone Number: +33437915364; Email: sara.dochez@ch-le-vinatier.fr
• Study Contact Backup: Name: Méline Devaluez, PhD; Phone Number: +33 4 37915514; Email: meline.devaluez@ch-le-vinatier.fr

Study Locations

• France
  • Bron, France
    • Baby lab - Institut des sciences cognitives Marc Jeannerod
    • Contact: Jean-Rémy HOCHMANN, PhD; Phone Number: +33 04 37 91 12 70; Email: hochmann@isc.cnrs.fr
  • Bron, France
    • CEDA - Le Vinatier
    • Contact: Marie-Maude GEOFFRAY-CASSAR, PhD; Phone Number: +33426738530; Email: Marie-Maude.GEOFFRAY-CASSAR@ch-le-vinatier.fr

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Child
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Children aged 3 or 5 years
• Either with a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or typically developing (neurotypical)
• No intellectual disability (per Mullen, Denver, or psychometric report)
• Normal or corrected vision and hearing
• Written informed consent from legal guardians
• Legal guardians affiliated to a French social security plan
• For ASD group only : classification as prototypical or non-prototypical based on clinical evaluation

Exclusion Criteria:

• Neurological disorder
• Parental or child refusal to participate
• For neurotypical children: developmental delay or psychiatric diagnosis

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Basic Science
• Allocation: Non-Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: None (Open Label)

Number of Arms

6

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Neurotypical 3-year-olds; 3-year-old children without a neurodevelopmental disorder	Behavioral: Temporal Integration Window task; The TIW task involves alternating visual displays (integration and segmentation trials) across four inter-stimulus intervals (ISI: 16, 32, 83, 116 ms). This task allows estimation of the participant's perceptual integration threshold.; Behavioral: Attentional Blink task; The Attentional Blink task presents rapid sequences of images (including two targets and distractors), measuring the minimum time delay required for both targets to be detected. Three different T1-T2 intervals are tested.
Other: Neurotypical 5-year-olds; 5-year-old children without a neurodevelopmental disorder	Behavioral: Temporal Integration Window task; The TIW task involves alternating visual displays (integration and segmentation trials) across four inter-stimulus intervals (ISI: 16, 32, 83, 116 ms). This task allows estimation of the participant's perceptual integration threshold.; Behavioral: Attentional Blink task; The Attentional Blink task presents rapid sequences of images (including two targets and distractors), measuring the minimum time delay required for both targets to be detected. Three different T1-T2 intervals are tested.
Experimental: Prototypical ASD 3-year-olds; 3-year-old children with a diagnosis of ASD and prototypical characteristics	Behavioral: Temporal Integration Window task; The TIW task involves alternating visual displays (integration and segmentation trials) across four inter-stimulus intervals (ISI: 16, 32, 83, 116 ms). This task allows estimation of the participant's perceptual integration threshold.; Behavioral: Attentional Blink task; The Attentional Blink task presents rapid sequences of images (including two targets and distractors), measuring the minimum time delay required for both targets to be detected. Three different T1-T2 intervals are tested.
Experimental: Prototypical ASD 5-year-olds; 5-year-old children with a diagnosis of ASD and prototypical characteristics	Behavioral: Temporal Integration Window task; The TIW task involves alternating visual displays (integration and segmentation trials) across four inter-stimulus intervals (ISI: 16, 32, 83, 116 ms). This task allows estimation of the participant's perceptual integration threshold.; Behavioral: Attentional Blink task; The Attentional Blink task presents rapid sequences of images (including two targets and distractors), measuring the minimum time delay required for both targets to be detected. Three different T1-T2 intervals are tested.
Experimental: Non-prototypical ASD 3-year-olds; 3-year-old children with a diagnosis of ASD but not prototypical characteristics	Behavioral: Temporal Integration Window task; The TIW task involves alternating visual displays (integration and segmentation trials) across four inter-stimulus intervals (ISI: 16, 32, 83, 116 ms). This task allows estimation of the participant's perceptual integration threshold.; Behavioral: Attentional Blink task; The Attentional Blink task presents rapid sequences of images (including two targets and distractors), measuring the minimum time delay required for both targets to be detected. Three different T1-T2 intervals are tested.
Experimental: Non-prototypical ASD 5-year-olds; 5-year-old children with a diagnosis of ASD but not prototypical characteristics	Behavioral: Temporal Integration Window task; The TIW task involves alternating visual displays (integration and segmentation trials) across four inter-stimulus intervals (ISI: 16, 32, 83, 116 ms). This task allows estimation of the participant's perceptual integration threshold.; Behavioral: Attentional Blink task; The Attentional Blink task presents rapid sequences of images (including two targets and distractors), measuring the minimum time delay required for both targets to be detected. Three different T1-T2 intervals are tested.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Temporal dynamics of perception	The Temporal Integration Window (TIW) is defined as the shortest interval between two displays that can be integrated into a single percept	Baseline
Temporal dynamics of attention	The Attentional Blink duration, defined as the minimal delay between two target stimuli that allows detection of both.	Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Hôpital le Vinatier

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): February 16, 2026
• Primary Completion (Estimated): August 16, 2028
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 16, 2028

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: January 27, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: January 27, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): February 3, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): February 5, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: February 3, 2026
• Last Verified: February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: autism; Eye-tracking; Infant development; Visual perception; Prototypical autism; Temporal Integration Window; Attentional Blink
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Mental Disorders; Neurodevelopmental Disorders; Child Development Disorders, Pervasive; Autism Spectrum Disorder; Autistic Disorder
• Other Study ID Numbers: 2025-A02488-41

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: YES

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No