# Visuomotor integration and attention in Autism Spectrum Disorder

> **NIH NIH K01** · UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR · 2021 · $182,304

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 The candidate, Dr. Haylie Miller, aims to develop a program of research on visuomotor integration in
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). She and her mentors (Drs. Nicoleta Bugnariu, Mary Hayhoe, and Matt
Mosconi), have planned a series of training and research activities, including workshops, formal coursework,
and consultation with experts in the fields of ASD, developmental neuroscience, motor control, and eye
tracking. Dr. Bugnariu and Dr. Hayhoe are co-primary mentors: Dr. Bugnariu has expertise in motor control,
developmental neuroscience, and functional movement in ASD; Dr. Hayhoe has expertise in visuomotor
integration and eye movement in typical development, as well as a prolific record of publication and federal
funding. Dr. Mosconi, a recognized expert in motor development in ASD, will serve as a secondary mentor. An
advisory team will also support Dr. Miller's training: Drs. Garver and Dempsey have ample experience working
with individuals across the widely variable symptom profile of the disorder. Dr. Rita Patterson is an expert in
biomechanics and mathematical modeling of time series data; Dr. Linda Hynan is an expert in biostatistics.
 Dr. Miller will study visuomotor integration–the process of using visual information to plan, execute,
and modify movements–in 45 children with ASD (ages 7-17) and 45 age-, gender- and IQ-matched typically-
developing (TD) controls. Accurate visuomotor integration is critical for interacting with the environment.
Despite prior studies of motion perception, it is still unclear whether individuals with ASD fail to appropriately
interact with moving objects because they do not accurately: i) direct visual attention to objects; ii) assess the
spatial position and motion of objects; iii) use visual information to plan a motor response; and/or iv) execute
motor plans to achieve desired body movements. The proposed study will quantify differences between TD
and ASD in the ability to perceive object motion, and execute/modify planned motor responses. To accomplish
this aim, Dr. Miller will use a unique combination of mobile eye-tracking, motion capture, and virtual reality to
assess response to visual motion. Variable speeds, distractor objects and complex background settings will be
used in interactive virtual games to assess the role of attention in processing and reacting to motion.
 By studying visuomotor integration in the virtual environment, which more closely mirrors real-world
cognitive and visual demands, Dr. Miller aims to understand the practical consequences of this deficit in ASD.
Clinical symptoms (e.g., clumsiness) and functional impairments (e.g., driving, playing sports) in ASD likely
stem from ineffective visuomotor integration. Particularly for adolescents, the transition to adulthood and
independence is accompanied by a number of visuomotor challenges like driving, sports and physical fitness,
and social interaction. Failure to master these skills can result in added burden o...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10421560
- **Project number:** 7K01MH107774-05
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN AT ANN ARBOR
- **Principal Investigator:** Haylie L Miller
- **Activity code:** K01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $182,304
- **Award type:** 7
- **Project period:** 2021-07-01 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10421560

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10421560, Visuomotor integration and attention in Autism Spectrum Disorder (7K01MH107774-05). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-27 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10421560. Licensed CC0.

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