A – 64 Enhanced Perceptual Functioning in Autism: A Literature Review of Bottom Up Processing

Abstract Objective This literature review checks the “Enhanced Perceptual Functioning” (EPF) hypothesis in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which proposes that autistic individuals show superior performance on detail-oriented tasks. This review examined how recent EEG/fMRI connectivity findings and behavioral studies address potential perceptual strengths versus predominantly deficit-focused frameworks. Method Databases such as PubMed, PsycINFO, and Google Scholar were searched for peer-reviewed articles using keywords such as “autism,” “ASD,” “bottom-up processing,” and “enhanced perceptual functioning.” Studies were chosen if they explicitly tested perceptual or sensory processing in ASD within a detail-focused paradigm. Results Most studies pointed to the enhanced bottom-up processing (e.g., increased occipital-to-frontal connectivity), often associated with hypersensitivity or sensory overload in individuals with autism. This heightened attention to detail might translate into more accurate visual detection or a unique sensitivity to novel auditory cues. However, only a few studies directly measured real-world benefits of these detail-oriented tendencies. Heterogeneous samples and inconsistent methodologies further limited conclusions about EPF as a generalizable strength. Conclusion While theoretical models suggest a detail-driven perceptual style may be advantageous in ASD, empirical support fails to check its real-world benefits. Future investigations should include more direct comparisons of bottom-up advantages versus top-down deficits to find better strength-based techniques for autistic individuals. Such research may clarify whether EPF represents a genuine cognitive strength or remains a limiting factor in ASD.