Scientists at Duke University in the US have developed a new software program that can detect signs of autism in infants.
During videotaped autism screening tests, the software tracks and records activities of the infants.
The results show that the software is also more accurate than non-experts medics.
The study focused on three behavioral tests that can help identify autism in very young children.
In the first test, an infant's attention is drawn to a toy being shaken on the left side and then to a toy being shaken on the right side. Clinicians observe how long the child takes to shift his/her attention in response to the changing stimulus.
During the second test, a toy is passed across the infant's field of view. This test looks for any delay in the child tracking its motion.
In the last test, a clinician rolls a ball to a child and looks for eye contact afterward. It is a sign of the child's engagement with his/her play partner.
In all three tests, the person administering them is also counting how long it takes for the child to react.
Later this year, scientists also plan to test a new tablet application that can do away with the need for a person to administer any test at all.
Source : Gizmodo , 26th May 2014
During videotaped autism screening tests, the software tracks and records activities of the infants.
The results show that the software is also more accurate than non-experts medics.
The study focused on three behavioral tests that can help identify autism in very young children.
In the first test, an infant's attention is drawn to a toy being shaken on the left side and then to a toy being shaken on the right side. Clinicians observe how long the child takes to shift his/her attention in response to the changing stimulus.
During the second test, a toy is passed across the infant's field of view. This test looks for any delay in the child tracking its motion.
In the last test, a clinician rolls a ball to a child and looks for eye contact afterward. It is a sign of the child's engagement with his/her play partner.
In all three tests, the person administering them is also counting how long it takes for the child to react.
Later this year, scientists also plan to test a new tablet application that can do away with the need for a person to administer any test at all.
Source : Gizmodo , 26th May 2014
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