A tablet-based screening application designed to detect autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in toddlers could potentially revolutionize early detection, according to a study funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). The timely identification of ASD is vital, as it enables access to early interventions that can significantly improve symptoms and future skills in affected children.
This innovative app demonstrated an impressive 87.8% sensitivity in detecting ASD, accurately identifying most children with the condition. Its specificity, indicating the percentage of children without ASD who screened negative, stood at 80.8%. By correctly identifying toddlers who warrant further evaluation for ASD, this app has the potential to ensure that affected children and their families receive the necessary support.Â
Traditionally, healthcare providers have used parent questionnaires to screen toddlers for ASD. However, research has shown that the accuracy of such questionnaires tends to be lower in primary care settings compared to controlled research environments, particularly among girls and children of color. This discrepancy can exacerbate disparities in early diagnosis and intervention. To address the need for more precise ASD screening tools, researchers developed the SenseToKnow app.
This application records and analyzes children’s responses to short videos designed to elicit a range of behavioral patterns. It can detect various early signs of ASD, including differences in social attention, facial expressions, head movements, response to name, blink rates, and motor skills. The development of the SenseToKnow app was led by Dr. Geraldine Dawson and Dr. Guillermo Sapiro from the Autism Center of Excellence at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina.Â
During well-child visits, healthcare providers utilized the SenseToKnow app to screen toddlers between the ages of 17 months and 3 years. Out of the 475 toddlers enrolled in the study, 49 were subsequently diagnosed with ASD, and 98 were diagnosed with developmental delays but did not have ASD. Importantly, the app’s ability to reliably identify children with ASD remained consistent across toddlers of different genders, races, and ethnicities.
Overall, children who screened positive for ASD using the app had a 40.6% probability of receiving a subsequent ASD diagnosis. In comparison, only about 15% of children who screened positive using the standard parent questionnaire ultimately received an ASD diagnosis. Combining the app with the traditional questionnaire significantly increased the probability of a positive screening result leading to a later diagnosis, reaching 63.4%.Â
The study’s authors consider this research a significant step toward developing ASD screening tools that can reduce disparities in early diagnosis and intervention access. They also emphasize the importance of ensuring that children who receive a positive screening result are promptly linked to appropriate referrals and services.Â
Funding for this study was provided by the NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), with additional support from the NIH’s National Institute of Mental Health and other organizations. This groundbreaking app could potentially enhance the early detection of ASD in toddlers, offering the prospect of timely interventions that could make a substantial difference in the lives of affected children and their families.Â
News Reference Â
National Institute of Health, “Digital autism screening tool shows promise in NIH-funded study” https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/digital-autism-screening-tool-shows-promise-nih-funded-study. Â
