Freya Elise, Brian Irvine, Jana Brinkert, Charlie Hamilton, Emily Farran, Elizabeth Milne, Gaia Scerif, and Anna Remington (2025).
We looked at how autistic people with a learning disability* and people with Williams Syndrome (WS) experience focus, distraction, and input like sounds or sight. We wanted to find out if autistic people with a learning disability have the same “increased perceptual capacity” (ability to process more information) seen in autistic people without a learning disability.
Who took part in the study?
5 autistic adults with intellectual disabilities.
5 adults with Williams Syndrome.
Each person could choose a Trusted Adult (like a family member, carer, or mentor) to help them.
2 researchers.
What the researchers did:
Before we talked to people, we all filled out a Research Passport about the things we liked and how we show we are worried or stressed. Finding out about each other made it all less scary.
We then talked to people over zoom and asked questions about:
– What helps them focus.
– What distracts them.
– How the sensory world (noises, lights, and other inputs) affects them.
Interviews were changed to suit each person, using clear examples and support.
What they found
Enjoying Focus
Both groups enjoyed focusing on tasks they loved (like hobbies or work). Autistic people liked doing multiple things at once (like watching TV and playing games). Some also described “hyperfocus”, where they lost track of time. People with WS focused on one thing at a time but noticed when they got hungry or distracted.
Increased Perception in Autism
Autistic participants described:
– A “spidey sense” or being hyper-aware of their surroundings.
– Noticing small details that others missed.
– Having a rich imagination (e.g., imagining themselves in calm places). – – Feeling overwhelmed when there was too much sensory input.
The World Can Be Stressful
Both groups felt anxious when they could not control their environment.
– Autistic people needed routine and predictability.
– People with WS were upset by sudden loud noises (like fireworks or dogs barking).
– People with WS also felt worried about what others thought of them.
Ways to keep calm
– Autistic people used fidget toys and tools to stay calm and liked having their own space to feel safe.
– People with WS used music and creativity (like singing songs) to focus and feel calm.
What this means
Autistic people with intellectual disabilities seem to experience increased perceptual capacity, similar to autistic people without intellectual disabilities. It might mean that adding more task-relevant information (instead of simplifying tasks) might help autistic people stay focused.
Understanding these experiences helps create better support for autistic people and those with WS.
Why this study is important
People with intellectual disabilities are often left out of research.
This study gives a voice to their experiences and shows how they process the world differently.
*in the UK the term used is learning disability (LD). It is used instead of 'intellectual disability', because it is used by self-advocates, charities and laws supporting individuals with learning differences.