Researchers from Duke University in North Carolina (USA) have developed an application that can diagnose autism. The program detects the disease with 88% accuracy. In this respect reports TimesNewsUK.
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of mental disorders characterized by impairments in social interaction and communication. ASD may manifest as emotional and behavioral isolation from reality or as a loss of sense of social distance combined with excessive sociability and openness.
Researchers invited 475 children ages 17 months to 3 years and their parents to test the SenseToKnow app. Once the program started, the parent and child had to watch a six-minute video. Scientists and parents also monitored children’s behavioral responses, such as blink rate, head movements and signs of concentration. The program also offers instructions for interpreting these reactions based on what signs of autism are likely to be detected.
The app detected ASD in 43 of 49 children diagnosed with the condition. The accuracy of determining whether a child had autism spectrum disorder was 87.8%.
Diagnostic accuracy remains high in children of both genders, according to the researchers. Scientists said that the application can be seen as an additional screening tool for autism, but also as an assistant for parents whose children cannot go to the doctor for any reason.
Previously named Professions in which autistic people are most frequently employed.
Source: Gazeta
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