Recent research has begun to investigate sensory processing in relation to nonclinical variation in traits
associated with the autism spectrum disorders (ASD). We propose that existing accounts of autistic
perception can be augmented by considering a role for individual differences in top–down expectations
for the precision of sensory input, related to the processing of state-dependent levels of uncertainty.
We therefore examined ASD-like traits in relation to the rubber-hand illusion: an experimental paradigm
that typically elicits crossmodal integration of visual, tactile, and proprioceptive information in an
unusual illusory context. Individuals with higher ASD-like traits showed reduced effects of the rubberhand
illusion on perceived arm position and reach-to-grasp movements, compared to individuals with
lower ASD-like traits. These differences occurred despite both groups reporting the typical subjective
experience of the illusion concerning visuotactile integration and ownership for the rubber hand.
Together these results suggest that the integration of proprioceptive information with cues for arm
position derived from the illusory context differs between individuals partly in relation to traits
associated with ASD. We suggest that the observed differences in sensory integration can be best
explained in terms of differing expectations regarding the precision of sensory estimates in contexts that
suggest uncertainty