Summary
Autistic children show greater HRV responses to affective touch than to visual emotional stimuli, opposite to neurotypical peers. Age correlates with HRV in autistic children, while emotion knowledge and regulation correlate with HRV in typically developing children.
Methods
Comparison of HRV responses to affective touch and pictures in autistic vs neurotypical children
Key Findings
- Affective touch produced greater HRV response in autistic children
- Visual emotional stimuli modulated HRV more in neurotypical peers
- Age correlated with HRV in autistic children (not cognition)
- Emotion knowledge/regulation associated with HRV in typical development
- Different modalities produce specific ANS regulation patterns
Limitations
Specific to certain types of stimuli, may not generalize
What This Means for You
For autistic children, physical comfort through appropriate touch may support nervous system regulation more effectively than visual or verbal emotional content. This has implications for therapeutic approaches and everyday support strategies.
Source
Read the original paper in Journal of Affective Disorders ↗
Added to HRV Zone: 2026-01-21