Social Value Training in Toddlers With Elevated Autism Symptoms

In the proposed pilot study, ASD+ toddlers will undergo Social Value Training (SVT) using a gaze-contingent eye-tracking paradigm in toddlers with elevated symptoms of ASD (ASD+) (n=48). SVT will be administered over a two-day period and the training effects will be assessed by changes in visual attention to high-value (HV) faces as compared to low-value (LV) faces between baseline, post-baseline, and a follow-up assessment using two tasks: a laboratory selective attention (LSA) task and real-world selective attention (RWSA) task. The investigators will also evaluate acceptability and feasibility of the value training and contribution of sex, nonverbal developmental level, and severity of autism symptoms to response to the training.