A Review of Autism Spectrum Disorder and Interpersonal Space Perception

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition marked by unusual social behaviors and communication abilities. ASD is highly prevalent, affecting approximately 1 in 100 children worldwide. ASD individuals’ different perception on interpersonal space (IPS) contributes to their social behavior challenges. We conducted a comprehensive literature search of 679 research artifacts, filtered and screened down to 11 relevant research papers published since 2018. After thorough analysis of these selected papers, we concluded that most of the research focused on teenagers and young adults, and presented evidence indicating a correlation between autism and altered IPS perception when compared to neurotypical individuals. We also observed that emerging technologies such as VR and robots have been used for social interaction training. Through our study, it became clear that IPS in individuals with ASD is a less researched field, especially for adults and elderly within a large sample size. The significance of our literature review is underscored by the context of COVID-19 social isolation and Generation Z’s heavy reliance on digital communication, all of which exacerbate the challenge of ASD’s perception on IPS. We discussed options for future research with regards to cultural norms, gender, and urban and rural environments. This review will direct further investigations in the ASD field to foster an inclusive society.