Exploring the association between mental imagery, sensory sensitivity, and autistic traits in autistic and non-autistic adults

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Taylor, R., Sumner, P., Singh, K. D., & Jones, C. R. G. (2026). Exploring the association between mental imagery, sensory sensitivity, and autistic traits in autistic and non-autistic adults. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/s41598-026-38574-9

Abstract

Mental imagery vividness varies between individuals. Low levels of mental imagery have been associated with high levels of autistic traits, whilst autistic traits are known to positively correlate with sensory sensitivities. This would predict a negative correlation between sensory sensitivity and imagery. However, one recent study has suggested that mental imagery vividness may be positively associated with sensory sensitivities, possibly through the shared mechanism of hyperexcitability of the sensory cortices. The aim of this paper was to explore this contradictory set of associations across two modalities (visual and tactile). We used standardised questionnaires to measure autistic traits, sensory sensitivities, and mental imagery vividness in a sample evenly comprised of autistic and non-autistic adults ( n = 595). Higher autistic traits were significantly associated with lower mental imagery ( r = − 0.20 and r = − 0.17 for visual and tactile imagery respectively), and a higher incidence of aphantasia was observed in the autistic group compared to the non-autistic group. In addition, higher autistic traits were significantly associated with increased sensory sensitivities ( r = 0.76). Importantly, we found negligible evidence of an association between mental imagery and sensory sensitivity, even when controlling for autistic traits. In the first study to directly explore autistic traits, sensory sensitivities and mental imagery, we conclude that there is no clear evidence to suggest that mental imagery and sensory sensitivity are related, challenging the idea of shared mechanisms of hyperexcitability of sensory cortex.

Authors

Rebecca Taylor1
Petroc Sumner1
Krish D. Singh1
Catherine R. G. Jones1

What This Study Is About

Researchers investigated whether there is a link between autism, sensory sensitivity (being highly affected by sights, sounds, or touch), and aphantasia—the "blind mind's eye" where a person cannot create mental images. They wanted to see if people with more autistic traits were more likely to have lower imagery strength and if this was related to how they process sensory information from the world around them.

How They Studied It

The study included 571 participants, divided into three groups: people with a formal autism diagnosis, people who self-identify as autistic, and a non-autistic control group. Participants completed several online questionnaires. They rated the vividness of their visual imagery (picturing a sunset) and tactile imagery (imagining the feel of sandpaper). They also reported on their sensory sensitivity—such as whether bright lights or loud noises bother them—and their level of autistic traits.

What They Found

The researchers found that people with more autistic traits were significantly more likely to have aphantasia. Specifically, about 14.6% of the autistic participants had aphantasia, compared to only 5.9% of the non-autistic group. While there was a small link between having weaker mental imagery and being more sensitive to real-world sensory input, this did not explain the connection to autism. Instead, the study found that lower imagery and higher sensory sensitivity are two separate features that can both occur in autistic individuals.

What This Might Mean

This suggests that the "mind's eye" works differently for many people on the autism spectrum, but not because of a single shared brain mechanism with sensory sensitivity. It highlights that mental imagery is a "top-down" process (created by the brain), while sensory sensitivity is "bottom-up" (reacting to the environment). Because many mental health therapies rely on imagining scenarios to reduce anxiety, these findings suggest that such treatments might need to be adapted for autistic people who have low or no mental imagery.

One Interesting Detail

The study looked beyond just sight; it found that autistic traits were also linked to weaker "tactile imagery." This means that in addition to having trouble picturing an object, people with more autistic traits were also less likely to be able to clearly imagine the physical sensation of touching something, like the prick of a pin or the warmth of a bath.

Exploring the association between mental imagery, sensory sensitivity, and autistic traits in autistic and non-autistic adults

Abstract

Authors

Exploring the association between mental imagery, sensory sensitivity, and autistic traits in autistic and non-autistic adults

Abstract

Authors

Exploring the association between mental imagery, sensory sensitivity, and autistic traits in autistic and non-autistic adults

Abstract

Authors

Exploring the association between mental imagery, sensory sensitivity, and autistic traits in autistic and non-autistic adults

Abstract

Authors

What This Study Is About

How They Studied It

What They Found

What This Might Mean

One Interesting Detail

What This Study Is About

How They Studied It

What They Found

What This Might Mean

One Interesting Detail

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