Social Motivation in Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mixed-Methods Study Using Eye-Tracking, Behavioral Tasks, and Qualitative Analysis

This mixed-methods study examined social motivation across 104 autistic and 192 non-autistic adolescents/young adults using eye-tracking, behavioral tasks, and self/parent reports, finding lower intrinsic motivation and reduced orientation to social stimuli in autistic participants. Qualitative analysis revealed substantial heterogeneity, with many autistic individuals valuing friendships and connection through shared interests, suggesting diminished social motivation may reflect contextual challenges rather than uniform lack of motivation.