Analyzing Speech Motor Movement using Surface Electromyography in Minimally Verbal Adults with Autism Spectrum Disorder

TL;DR

This study uses surface electromyography to analyze facial muscle activity in minimally verbal adults with autism, revealing differences in muscle activation, synchrony, and coordination complexity compared to neurotypical controls.

Contribution

It introduces a direct sEMG-based method to assess speech motor control in mvASD adults, providing new insights into their motor coordination patterns.

Findings

Higher sEMG power and correlation in mvASD adults

Greater muscle activation and synchrony in mvASD

Lower complexity in muscle coordination in mvASD

Abstract

Adults who are minimally verbal with autism spectrum disorder (mvASD) have pronounced speech difficulties linked to impaired motor skills. Existing research and clinical assessments primarily use indirect methods such as standardized tests, video-based facial features, and handwriting tasks, which may not directly target speech-related motor skills. In this study, we measure activity from eight facial muscles associated with speech using surface electromyography (sEMG), during carefully designed tasks. The findings reveal a higher power in the sEMG signals and a significantly greater correlation between the sEMG channels in mvASD adults (N=12) compared to age and gender-matched neurotypical controls (N=14). This suggests stronger muscle activation and greater synchrony in the discharge patterns of motor units. Further, eigenvalues derived from correlation matrices indicate lower complexity in muscle coordination in mvASD, implying fewer degrees of freedom in motor control.