Effects of EEG examination and ABA-therapy on resting-state EEG in children with low-functioning autism

Objective: We aimed to study the effects of EEG examination and ABA-therapy on resting-state EEG in children with low-functioning autism and tactile defensiveness. Methods: We have performed this study with three cohorts of preschoolers: children with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) who needed applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy due to their tactile defensiveness; children with ASD who didn't need ABA therapy; and the control group of healthy children. Number of microstates was determined in the initial and final parts of the resting-state EEGs. Results and conclusions: Children with higher tactile defensiveness for the most part had specific EEG microstates associated with unpleasant emotions and senses. The EEG microstates of children with ASD who did not need ABA therapy, had more similarities with the EEG microstates of typically developing children except for temporary changes. Meanwhile, the children with tactile defensiveness demonstrated typical patterns of EEG microstates from start to finish of the procedure.