This paper examined the existing literature on rewards systems in children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Review of studies were derived from the period of 2010 to 2022 through the electronic databases such as ProQuest, EBSCO, and ScienceDirect. Search terms include children with ASD, autism, typically developing children, and social rewards. Data were thoroughly analyzed by means of a semi-systematic approach. The researches were clustered through methods, and findings.
Based on the consolidated data, it revealed that ASD children respond less to social rewards as compared to typically developing children. Literature reviews provide consistent findings that children with ASD exhibit a need for heightened response than typically developing children. In order to address the gap in existing literature, it is important to address the various findings in theory. There are two ways in which these findings can be viewed: (1) the lack of sensitivity of the children with ASD to social rewards could indicate impairment in their social systems; or (2) based on the social motivation hypothesis, it could just be that they do not find responding to social stimuli rewarding. There seems to be enough evidence of the latter, thus providing a good take off point for the design of an experiment that looks into the reward systems of children with autism. Lastly, it also revealed the call for studies in a localized context for it is prominent that the studies reviewed were culled from Western countries and there were limited numbers in Asian countries like the Philippines.

Authors:
Maryfe Roxas, Philippine Normal University, Philippines
Marilou Francisco, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Philippines
Angelbert Hernandez, Trinity University of Asia, Philippines
Laarni Buenaventura, Philippine Normal University, Philippines
Melchor Siena, Potrero National Highschool, Philippines
Red Honeylee Valencia, Philippine Normal University, Philippines

About the Presenter(s)
Dr Maryfe Roxas is a University Associate Professor/Senior Lecturer at Philippine Normal University in Philippines

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