Researchers trying to understand how kids read facial expressions

At 8:30 on a Saturday morning, a time when many children might be parked in front of the TV watching cartoons, some kids are busily drawing them.

Awaiting the start of their day camp at the University of Victoria – billed as Face Camp – one 11 year-old is drawing a spiky-haired cartoon character, while another has labelled his ‘the evil stickman.’

This group of 35 kids can’t wait to get going in a camp that is all about faces: how to draw them and to interpret them.

Led by UVic neuroscientist Jim Tanaka, who is helped by nine assistants, the day is not just about putting the kids through a fun day of comic book-making and scavenger hunts. They’re collecting data about how average children learn to understand facial expressions. It’s information that will help researchers understand how other kids, such as those with autism, might understand faces.

“The most striking thing we’ve discovered is that while most kids look to the eyes for understanding, those with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) look at mouths,” Tanaka said. It’s just one detail researchers might use to understand why understanding facial expressions is a struggle for kids with ASD, unlike most people.

Monterey middle school student Rachel Carey is taking part in Face Camp for a second time. She’s oblivious to the fact Tanaka and his team are gathering research. For her it’s just a day of fun.

“Last year we had a Hollywood theme - this year it’s superheroes. The best part is the amazing face race,” she said.

A scavenger hunt at the end of the day has participants look for items around the campus, then return to camp, held in three classrooms in the Cornett building.

Psychology graduate Laura Dixon has volunteered here for three years. “It’s a great way to collect data,” she said. “And it’s interesting to see how kids do on the same tasks as undergraduate students.”

As well as running through some computer tests disguised as games, kids get to blend photos of themselves with superheroes’ mugs. They also also learn the basics of creating a comic book, featuring a superhero of their own making. Pizza is brought in for lunch and the whole day is free.

“It’s kind of a mini middle school,” Tanaka said about the multi-activity format. But the result is valuable information that groups like the Burnaby Down Syndrome Foundation have expressed interest in.

vmoreau@saanichnews.com