TU Dublin Researcher Sheds Light on Autism and Sensory Processing
Research by Dr John Butler at TU Dublin is providing crucial insights into how individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) process sensory information, potentially paving the way for more inclusive policies in education, healthcare, and workplace accessibility aligning with the theme of this year’s World Autism Awareness Day: Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme highlights the intersection between neurodiversity and global sustainability efforts, showcasing how inclusive policies and practices can drive positive change for autistic individuals worldwide and contribute to the achievement of the SDGs.
Dr Butler, a lecturer at the School of Mathematics and Statistics, is internationally recognised for his work in neuroscience. With over 80 peer-reviewed publications, his studies employ behavioural experiments, EEG (Electroencephalography), fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging), and mathematical models to explore multisensory integration; the process by which the brain combines information from different senses such as sight, sound, and touch.
Multisensory integration plays a crucial role in everyday life, allowing people to respond quickly and accurately to their surroundings. However, Dr Butler’s research has shown that individuals with ASD experience a developmental delay in integrating auditory and visual information. This means they may not benefit from multiple sensory inputs in the same way neurotypical individuals do, leading to slower and less accurate responses. Explaining, Dr Butler said:
In environments like a noisy classroom, an autistic individual may struggle to integrate sound and vision effectively, making it harder for them to hear and understand a teacher speaking.
His studies indicate that this sensory integration delay is most pronounced in early adolescence but may improve in late teenage years.
Dr Butler’s research continues at TU Dublin, where he supervises Taighde Éireann – Research Ireland funded PhD student Rebecca Brady. Her work focuses on developing mathematical models to simulate the sensory integration breakdown seen in autism. By bridging mathematical modelling with medical research, the project aims to provide new insights into sensory dysfunction and potential interventions.
The findings from Dr Butler’s research highlight the need for inclusive policies that accommodate sensory differences, particularly in education and workplace settings. As understanding of multisensory processing in autism deepens, researchers hope their work will inform more effective strategies to support autistic individuals in various aspects of life.
Dr Butler is collaborating with other researchers from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and the University of Rochester to advance research in this field.
For more information on Dr Butler’s research, visit: TU Dublin PURE