Autism Diagnosis in an Hour?
July 16, 2006 by Kristina Chew, PhD
Filed under Health
Researchers Dr Mark Mon-Williams and Dr Justin Williams at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland are developing a computer-based system to diagnose autism, according to an article in today’s Scotsman. The new test can make an autism diagnosis in an hour.
The machine involves taking computer-based measurements, which track children’s movement and reactions to certain stimuli. About 60 patients have been involved in a trial.
Dr Williams said: “Different movement paths, especially jerky or erratic patterns, can indicate brain disorders such as ADHD and autism.”
It is helpful for parents to get an official diagnosis of autism for a child, especially in order to start obtaining the best services. Even better would be a way to speed up how parents could then access those services: Having your child diagnosed with autism happens once, but figuring out how to get the education and treatments a child needs is a long—-a lifelong—-process.
Thanks for sharing this news with us Kristina.
This is certainly a positive development.
You’re very welcome—-though, for my husband and me, we long before the date of Charlie’s official diagnosis (July 22, 1999) that he had autism. But I think finding out earlier is important.
I’m unsure of the utility of such a device – at least here in Maryland. I can’t imagine that it’s easier to build, field, and pay for such things than it is to find a local clinical psychologist. Jared’s diagnosis was way less than an hour: he walked around, looked at some toys, stuck his hand in some guy’s coffee cup (didn’t notice the hot coffee), and the psychologist said, “Yup – that boy has autism. I’ll write it up.”
Wow. An hour. It took us 10 *years*….
Where I can see that you can identify actually being on the spectrum in less than an hour, I would only worry about the accuracy of the place on the spectrum. IMO it takes a bit longer to figure out and schools do use the placing in determining services. A child with PDD-NOS who has been Dxed an Aspie would not receive as many services….. so personally, I would want more than just a computer program Dxing my kid. i.e. – How would a computer Dx the level of language issues?
Agreed—–it’s taken a lot to figure out what best helps Charlie, mostly thanks to actual human teachers working with him. I’m wondering why the Scottish researchers thought of the idea in the first place.