nih-gov/www.nih.gov/node/243221
2025-02-26 13:17:41 -05:00

586 lines
47 KiB
Text
Raw Permalink Blame History

This file contains invisible Unicode characters

This file contains invisible Unicode characters that are indistinguishable to humans but may be processed differently by a computer. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

This file contains Unicode characters that might be confused with other characters. If you think that this is intentional, you can safely ignore this warning. Use the Escape button to reveal them.

<!DOCTYPE html>
<html class="no-js" lang="en" dir="ltr" prefix="content: http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/ dc: http://purl.org/dc/terms/ foaf: http://xmlns.com/foaf/0.1/ rdfs: http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema# sioc: http://rdfs.org/sioc/ns# sioct: http://rdfs.org/sioc/types# skos: http://www.w3.org/2004/02/skos/core# xsd: http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#">
<head>
<title>App aids early screening for autism | National Institutes of Health (NIH)</title>
<meta charset="utf-8" />
<script type="text/javascript">
//<![CDATA[
var usasearch_config = { siteHandle:"nih" };
var script = document.createElement("script");
script.type = "text/javascript";
script.src = "//search.usa.gov/javascripts/remote.loader.js";
document.getElementsByTagName("head")[0].appendChild(script);
//]]>
</script><link rel="shortcut icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/favicon.ico" type="image/vnd.microsoft.icon" />
<meta name="google-site-verification" content="rjIoO4vW0AYgltSYvxM1L_CzGIkq28kHf9gHIASKx8s" />
<link rel="profile" href="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml/vocab" />
<meta http-equiv="cleartype" content="on" />
<link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/all/themes/nih/apple-touch-icon.png" />
<meta name="description" content="A tablet-based app that records toddlers responses to videos holds promise for improved early detection and intervention." />
<meta name="keywords" content="Autism, autism spectrum disorder, ASD, SenseToKnow, screening, toddlers, machine learning, artificial intelligence, digital phenotyping, mobile app, computer vision analysis, Geraldine Dawson, Guillermo Sapiro, Nature Medicine" />
<meta name="robots" content="follow, index" />
<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" />
<meta name="generator" content="Drupal 7 (http://drupal.org)" />
<link rel="canonical" href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/app-aids-early-screening-autism" />
<link rel="shortlink" href="https://www.nih.gov/node/243221" />
<meta http-equiv="content-language" content="EN" />
<meta property="og:site_name" content="National Institutes of Health (NIH)" />
<meta property="og:type" content="article" />
<meta property="og:title" content="App aids early screening for autism" />
<meta property="og:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/app-aids-early-screening-autism" />
<meta property="og:description" content="A tablet-based app that records toddlers responses to videos holds promise for improved early detection and intervention." />
<meta property="og:updated_time" content="2023-10-31T12:49:28-04:00" />
<meta property="og:image:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231024-autism.png" />
<meta name="twitter:card" content="summary" />
<meta name="twitter:title" content="App aids early screening for autism" />
<meta name="twitter:url" content="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/app-aids-early-screening-autism" />
<meta name="twitter:description" content="A tablet-based app that records toddlers responses to videos holds promise for improved early detection and intervention." />
<meta property="article:published_time" content="2023-10-23T12:56:19-04:00" />
<meta property="article:modified_time" content="2023-10-31T12:49:28-04:00" />
<meta name="owner" content="OD" />
<meta name="published_date" content="2023-10-23T12:56:19-04:00" />
<meta name="last_revision" content="2023-10-31T12:49:28-04:00" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_PfvPCWanzn7FjDwZqwAHhPoOxYKwkQP-RZSK1pFFG0s.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css__mIWP9gcStq74isjZVoAAsiih8VXwJoN75Nyw_BXrj0.css" media="screen" />
<style media="print">#sb-container{position:relative;}#sb-overlay{display:none;}#sb-wrapper{position:relative;top:0;left:0;}#sb-loading{display:none;}
</style>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_jENQOQqZCRFGZK__DTefxYiXR2RUf03k1ugj3_Vg7vk.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_3yt-b0M1HNJsvKsXwYjh5TEtX2lJGAvJvtmVAfORYZs.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="//fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Droid+Sans:700,regular|Droid+Serif:italic,regular&amp;subset=latin" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_E4VlyxyL3JMcT6dslWLGb0uQdoI2bh_Xj0N65V-bcWo.css" media="all" />
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_5rDMv37-JxnNA70cRr_1jlAjVs56DCb8EN4XB2QLl0c.css" media="all" />
<!--[if lte IE 8]>
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_aLJB_yHt22A_mQek4IRDNsur5tEkCpqLe72j_w6QHQ0.css" media="all" />
<![endif]-->
<link type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" href="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/css/css_KviiBystpJcQq4MplcQZvCFxnu9V763f5bPq_AKh4xM.css" media="all" />
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_mQAv54bz2JVXcwS5QWlz0fVY9Os67zeu9bgNqtlVLPY.js"></script>
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-2.2.4.min.js"></script>
<script>window.jQuery || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery/2.2/jquery.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
<script>jQuery.migrateMute=true;jQuery.migrateTrace=false;</script>
<script src="//code.jquery.com/jquery-migrate-1.4.1.min.js"></script>
<script>window.jQuery && window.jQuery.migrateWarnings || document.write("<script src='/sites/all/modules/contrib/jquery_update/replace/jquery-migrate/1.4.1/jquery-migrate.min.js'>\x3C/script>")</script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_9sGTPBGcOGZjLiSLGrYEnuUf8VdvLmL_DEZNNNbnHXk.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_hNnF7a_sbk6nZ2-mOamHzalYND7HBHDLRInsaU93HDk.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_gHk2gWJ_Qw_jU2qRiUmSl7d8oly1Cx7lQFrqcp3RXcI.js"></script>
<script>document.createElement( "picture" );</script>
<script src="//cdn.jsdelivr.net/qtip2/3.0.3/jquery.qtip.min.js"></script>
<script defer="defer" src="//script.crazyegg.com/pages/scripts/0011/2616.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_3s0l7MQ3oYmGkNAypyzCJq3a0wT85XX_P1SLgnph5K4.js"></script>
<script>
Shadowbox.path = "/sites/all/libraries/shadowbox/";
</script>
<script>jQuery.extend(Drupal.settings, {"basePath":"\/","pathPrefix":"","setHasJsCookie":0,"instances":"{\u0022default\u0022:{\u0022content\u0022:{\u0022text\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022style\u0022:{\u0022tip\u0022:false,\u0022classes\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022position\u0022:{\u0022at\u0022:\u0022bottom right\u0022,\u0022adjust\u0022:{\u0022method\u0022:\u0022\u0022},\u0022my\u0022:\u0022top left\u0022,\u0022viewport\u0022:false},\u0022show\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseenter \u0022},\u0022hide\u0022:{\u0022event\u0022:\u0022mouseleave \u0022}}}","qtipDebug":"{\u0022leaveElement\u0022:0}","shadowbox":{"animate":true,"animateFade":true,"animSequence":"wh","auto_enable_all_images":1,"auto_gallery":1,"autoplayMovies":true,"continuous":false,"counterLimit":10,"counterType":"default","displayCounter":true,"displayNav":true,"enableKeys":true,"fadeDuration":0.34999999999999998,"handleOversize":"resize","handleUnsupported":"link","initialHeight":160,"initialWidth":320,"language":"en","modal":false,"overlayColor":"#000","overlayOpacity":0.80000000000000004,"resizeDuration":0.55000000000000004,"showMovieControls":true,"slideshowDelay":0,"viewportPadding":20,"useSizzle":false},"picture":{"mappings":[["Sidebar media mappings","sidebar_media_mappings"],["Floated media mappings","floated_media_mappings"],["Not Set","not_set"]],"label":"Image size (required)"},"extlink":{"extTarget":"_blank","extClass":"ext","extLabel":"(link is external)","extImgClass":0,"extIconPlacement":0,"extSubdomains":1,"extExclude":"(.\\.nih\\.gov.)|(.\\.cancer\\.gov.)|(.\\.genome\\.gov.)|(.\\.drugabuse\\.gov.)|(locatorplus\\.gov.)|(.\\.govdelivery\\.com.)|(.\\.hatchbuck\\.com.)|(nihseniorhealth\\.gov.)|(clinicaltrials\\.gov.)|(search\\.usa\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(search\\.gov\\\/search\\?affiliate\\=hip.)|(drugabuse\\.gov.)|(medlineplus\\.gov.)|(collegedrinkingprevention\\.gov.)|(smokefree\\.gov.)|(arpa-h\\.gov.)|(nih\\.sharepoint\\.com)","extInclude":"(.\\.pagefreezer\\.com.)","extCssExclude":".media, .emergency-message, .slideshow-main, .bean-home-slideshow-2l-block","extCssExplicit":"","extAlert":"_blank","extAlertText":"You are leaving the NIH website.\r\n\r\nThis external link provides additional information that is consistent with the intended purpose of this site. NIH cannot attest to the accuracy of a non-federal site.\r\n\r\nLinking to a non-federal site does not constitute an endorsement by NIH or any of its employees of the sponsors or the information and products presented on the site. You will be subject to the destination site\u2019s privacy policy when you follow the link.","mailtoClass":"mailto","mailtoLabel":"(link sends e-mail)","extUseFontAwesome":0}});</script>
<script type="application/javascript" id="uws-snippet">
// Verint Unified WebSDK Integration Snippet v2.3
//
// Instructions: please embed this snippet directly into every page of your website template.
// For optimal performance, this should be embedded directly into the template, not referenced as
// an external file.
//
// DO NOT MODIFY BELOW THIS LINE *****************************************
(function () {
var cookies = document.cookie.split("; ").reduce(function (o, i) { var p = i.split("="); o[p[0]] = p[1]; return o; }, {});
var containerValue = cookies.uws_container_override && JSON.parse(decodeURIComponent(cookies.uws_container_override));
var config = {
moduleHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
configHost: "ucm-us.verint-cdn.com",
siteKey: "nih-gov",
container: containerValue || "live",
loadTime: Date.now()
};
var readyCallbacks = []; window.uwsReady = function (callback) { readyCallbacks.push(callback); };
var sdkPath = "//" + [config.moduleHost, "files/sites", config.siteKey, config.container, "sdk.js"].join("/");
var script = document.createElement("script"); script.src = sdkPath; script.async = true; script.type = "module";
script.addEventListener("load", function () { window.unifiedSDK.start(config, readyCallbacks); });
document.head.appendChild(script);
})();
// DO NOT MODIFY ABOVE THIS LINE *****************************************
</script>
</head>
<body class="html not-front not-logged-in page-node page-node- page-node-243221 node-type-nih-research-matters section navigation-nih-research-matters section-news-events">
<a href="#main-content" class="element-invisible element-focusable">Skip to main content</a>
<noscript aria-hidden="true"><iframe src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-5CBCNW2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe></noscript>
<div class="l-page has-one-sidebar has-sidebar-second">
<div class="l-page-content">
<header class="l-header" role="banner">
<div class="l-ribbon-wrapper">
<ul class="l-ribbon">
<li><span class="ribbon-hhs"></span><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health &amp; Human Services</a><span class="ribbon-right"></span></li>
</ul>
</div> <div class="l-banner-wrapper">
<div class="l-banner">
<div class="l-branding">
<a class="nih-logo icon-nih-logo" href="/" title="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" rel="home"><img src="/sites/all/themes/nih/images/nih-logo-color.png" width="390" height="60" alt="National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Turning Discovery into Health" /></a>
</div>
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
<form accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" id="search" class="search-form site-search" method="get">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
<label for="query" class="hide">Search the NIH Website</label>
<input autocomplete="on" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-site-search" id="query" name="query" type="text" placeholder="Search NIH" /><input type="submit" name="commit" value="Search" class="form-button form-button-site-search" />
</form>
<ul class="banner-utilities">
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ned.nih.gov/">Staff Directory</a></li>
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Espa&ntilde;ol</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</header>
<div class="l-navigation-wrapper">
<!-- ****************** SITE MENU ****************** -->
<h2 class="element-invisible">Site Menu</h2>
<nav class="l-menu-wrapper">
<ul class="l-menu">
<!-- ********* HOME TAB (Mobile view only) ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-home">
<div class="tab home"><a href="/"><span>Home</span></a></div>
</li>
<!-- ********* HEALTH INFO TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-healthinfo tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/health-information"><span>Health Information</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/programs/social-services/health-care-facilities/index.html">Health Care Providers & Facilities</a></li>
<li><a href="/health-information/health-info-lines">Health Info Lines</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.healthcare.gov">HealthCare.gov</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/health-information/nih-clinical-research-trials-you">NIH Clinical Research Trials and You</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/talking-your-doctor">Talking to Your Doctor</a></li>
<!--<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/clear-communication/clear-health-nih" title="">Clear Health AZ</a></li>-->
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/health-information" title="More Health Information">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<form id="hipsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search" method="get" class="search-form">
<p class="subhead"><label for="query2">Search Health Topics</label></p>
<div class="input-wrapper">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="&#x2713;" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="hip" />
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="940" />
<input autocomplete="on" maxlength="50" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
</div>
</form>
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul class="sub-menu">
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-medlineplus" href="https://medlineplus.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">MedlinePlus Health Info</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-wellnesstoolkits" href="/health-information/your-healthiest-self-wellness-toolkits"><span class="minibadge-text">Wellness Toolkits</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* GRANTS TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-grants tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/grants-funding"><span>Grants & Funding</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov">Grants Home Page</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/index.htm">Find Funding</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/due-dates-and-submission-policies/due-dates.htm">Due Dates</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide.html">How to Apply</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/grants/about_grants.htm">About Grants</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/policy/index.htm">Policy &amp; Compliance</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nexus.od.nih.gov/all/">Grants News/Blog</a></li>
<li><a href="https://grants.nih.gov/funding/contracts.htm">Contracts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.lrp.nih.gov/">Loan Repayment</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/grants-funding" title="More Grants &amp; Funding Information">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-report" href="https://report.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">RePORT</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-era" href="https://commons.era.nih.gov/commons/"><span class="minibadge-text">eRA Commons</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-commonfund" href="https://commonfund.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Common Fund</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* NEWS TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-news tab-wrapper-left">
<div class="tab"><a href="/news-events"><span>News &amp; Events</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/news-events/news-releases">News Releases</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/digital-media-kits">Digital Media Kits</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/media-resources">Media Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/media-contacts">Media Contacts</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/images-b-roll">Images and B-roll</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/events">Events</a></li>
<li><a href="/news-events/social-media-outreach">Social Media</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/news-events" title="More News &amp; Events">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-newsinhealth" href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH News in Health</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-researchmatters" href="/news-events/nih-research-matters"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Research Matters</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihrecord" href="https://nihrecord.nih.gov/"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Record</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* RESEARCH TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-research tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/research-training"><span>Research &amp; Training</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/research-training/medical-research-initiatives">Medical Research Initiatives</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-highlights">Science Highlights</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/science-education">Science Education</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/research-nih-labs-clinics">Research in NIH Labs &amp; Clinics</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/training-opportunities">Training Opportunities</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/library-resources">Library Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/research-resources">Research Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/clinical-research-resources">Clinical Research Resources</a></li>
<li><a href="/research-training/safety-regulation-guidance">Safety, Regulation and Guidance</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/research-training" title="More Research &amp; Training">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-pubmed" href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">PubMed</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-stemcell" href="https://stemcells.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">Stem Cell Information</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-oppnet" href="https://oppnet.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">OppNet</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nidb" href="https://intramural.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIDB</span></a></li>
<li><a class="minibadge minibadge-nihblueprint" href="https://neuroscienceblueprint.nih.gov"><span class="minibadge-text">NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research</span></a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* INSTITUTES TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-institutes tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/institutes-nih"><span>Institutes at NIH</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/list-institutes-centers">List of Institutes and Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/directors-nih-institutes-centers">Directors of NIH Institutes and Centers</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-institute-center-contact-information">NIH Institute and Center Contact Information</a></li>
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/institutes-nih" title="More About the Institutes at NIH">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul class="ic-acronymn-list">
<li><a href="https://www.cancer.gov" title="National Cancer Institute">NCI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nei.nih.gov" title="National Eye Institute">NEI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov" title="National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute">NHLBI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.genome.gov" title="National Human Genome Research Institute">NHGRI</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nia.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Aging">NIA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niaaa.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism">NIAAA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niaid.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases">NIAID</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niams.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases">NIAMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nibib.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering">NIBIB</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov" title="Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development">NICHD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders">NIDCD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nidcr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research">NIDCR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niddk.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases">NIDDK</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nida.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Drug Abuse">NIDA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.niehs.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences">NIEHS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nigms.nih.gov" title="National Institute of General Medical Sciences">NIGMS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Mental Health">NIMH</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nimhd.nih.gov" title="National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities">NIMHD</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ninds.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke">NINDS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ninr.nih.gov" title="National Institute of Nursing Research">NINR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.nlm.nih.gov" title="National Library of Medicine">NLM</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cc.nih.gov" title="NIH Clinical Center">CC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.cit.nih.gov" title="Center for Information Technology">CIT</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.csr.nih.gov" title="Center for Scientific Review">CSR</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fic.nih.gov" title="Fogarty International Center">FIC</a></li>
<li><a href="https://ncats.nih.gov" title="National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences">NCATS</a></li>
<li><a href="https://nccih.nih.gov" title="National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health">NCCIH</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
<!-- ********* ABOUT TAB ********* -->
<li class="tab-wrapper tab-wrapper-about tab-wrapper-right">
<div class="tab"><a href="/about-nih"><span>About NIH</span></a></div>
<div class="megamenu">
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-leftcol">
<ul>
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are">Who We Are</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do">What We Do</a></li>
<li><a href="https://hr.nih.gov/jobs">Jobs at NIH</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/contact-us">Contact Us</a></li>
<!--<li><a href="/about-nih/explore-nih">Explore NIH</a></li>-->
</ul>
<p class="more-wrapper"><a class="button gold" href="/about-nih" title="More About NIH">More &raquo;</a></p>
</div>
<div class="megamenu-col megamenu-rightcol">
<p class="subhead">Quick Links</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="/about-nih/who-we-are/nih-director">The NIH Director</a></li>
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Take the Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/nih-turning-discovery-into-health">NIH&hellip;Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>&reg;</sup></a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/impact-nih-research">Impact of NIH Research</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/what-we-do/science-health-public-trust">Science, Health, and Public Trust</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ul>
<div class="tab-bkgnd"></div><!-- For pixel rounding issue -->
</nav>
<!-- ****************** END SITE MENU ****************** -->
</div>
<div class="l-main-wrapper">
<div class="l-main" id="page-content">
<h2 class="element-invisible">You are here</h2><div class="breadcrumb"><a href="/">Home</a> » <a href="/news-events">News &amp; Events</a> » <a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></div> <div class="l-region l-region--section-header">
<div id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101" id="block-block-101" class="block block--block sectionheader block--block-101">
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<h2><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters">NIH Research Matters</a></h2> </div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="l-content-wrapper">
<div class="l-content" role="main">
<a id="main-content"></a>
<div about="/news-events/nih-research-matters/app-aids-early-screening-autism" typeof="sioc:Item foaf:Document" class="ds-1col node node--nih-research-matters view-mode-full node--full node--nih-research-matters--full clearfix">
<p class="publishdate"><span property="dc:date" datatype="xsd:dateTime" content="2023-10-24T00:00:00-04:00" class="date-display-single">October 24, 2023</span></p><div class='syndicate'><h1>App aids early screening for autism </h1><div class="callout callout-with-border"><h3>At a Glance</h3>
<ul>
<li>An app that records toddlers responses to videos on a tablet detected early signs of autism spectrum disorder with a high level of accuracy.</li>
<li>This type of digital screening holds promise for improved early detection and intervention for autism.</li>
</ul></div><div class="media-float-right">
<div><a href="https://www.youtube.com/embed/0vMoYA-KVRM?autoplay=1" rel="shadowbox[gallery]; width=640; height=360" title="A toddler plays a bubble-popping game as part of a 10-minute app that can greatly aid in screening children for autism. Duke University"><img alt="A toddler plays a bubble-popping game as part of a 10-minute app that can greatly aid in screening children for autism. Duke University" height="427" src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/video_sidebar/public/media-youtube/0vMoYA-KVRM.jpg?itok=-t-Z7gNe" title="A toddler plays a bubble-popping game as part of a 10-minute app that can greatly aid in screening children for autism. Duke University" typeof="Image" width="640" /></a></div>
<p class="caption">A toddler plays a bubble-popping game as part of a 10-minute app that can greatly aid in screening children for autism. Duke University</p>
</div>
<p>Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex condition marked by challenges with social communication and the presence of repetitive behaviors. Its called a “spectrum” condition because the behavioral features and their degree can vary widely in different people. Signs of ASD typically appear in the first two years of life. Early diagnosis and intervention can improve outcomes for people on the autism spectrum. But ASD can be difficult to diagnose.</p>
<p>Children are often screened for ASD at an early age during well-child medical visits. Standard screening is based on a caregiver questionnaire. But this method has proven less accurate in real-world health care settings than in research studies. So scientists have been working to develop accurate, easy-to-use screening tools to improve early detection.</p>
<p>Two years ago, a research team led by Drs. Geraldine Dawson and Guillermo Sapiro at Duke University reported <a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/app-may-help-identify-children-autism-spectrum-disorder">promising results</a> from a prototype mobile app that could detect distinctive eye gaze patterns in toddlers who were later diagnosed with ASD. Data from the app showed that children with ASD were less likely to focus on social content in videos and had difficulty visually tracking conversations.</p>
<p>For their latest study, the researchers developed and tested a new tablet-based app called SenseToKnow. This experimental app collects data not only on the childs eye gaze but also on facial expressions, attention, head movements, and other behaviors related to ASD. An algorithm combines and quantifies these diverse digital measurements. Machine learning was used to adjust the weight of different measures to improve the apps predictive abilities.</p>
<div class="media-float-right"><div class="media media-element-container media-floated_media"><div class="ds-1col file file-image file-image-png view-mode-floated_media clearfix">
<picture title="Toddler watching movie." class="media-element">
<!--[if IE 9]><video style="display: none;"><![endif]-->
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-large/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231024-autism.png?itok=7KbEEkP8&amp;timestamp=1698159271 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 960px)"></source>
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231024-autism.png?itok=47UB7Uvh&amp;timestamp=1698159271 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 800px)"></source>
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231024-autism.png?itok=cCk7J65m&amp;timestamp=1698159271 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 600px)"></source>
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-small/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231024-autism.png?itok=KviCQdg0&amp;timestamp=1698159271 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 480px)"></source>
<source srcset="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-tiny/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231024-autism.png?itok=TtTZ-C32&amp;timestamp=1698159271 1x" media="screen and (min-width: 0)"></source>
<!--[if IE 9]></video><![endif]-->
<img class="media-element" src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/styles/floated_media_breakpoint-medium/public/news-events/research-matters/2023/20231024-autism.png?itok=47UB7Uvh&amp;timestamp=1698159271" alt="Toddler watching movie." title="Toddler watching movie." />
</picture><span class="caption">A toddler watches a movie on a tablet while the tablet tracks characteristics such as eye movement, gaze, and head movement. </span><span class="credit">Duke University</span></div>
</div></div>
<p>The app was tested in 475 children, ages 17 months to 3 years, during pediatric well-child visits. During a 10-minute session, the child sat on a caregivers lap and interacted with the app. Results appeared online in <em>Nature Medicine </em>on October 2, 2023.</p>
<p>Forty-nine of the toddlers were later diagnosed with ASD, and 98 with developmental delay without ASD. The researchers found that the SenseToKnow app correctly identified about 88% of the children who were later diagnosed with ASD. This ability was similar across different sexes, races, and ethnicities. The app also correctly identified more than 80% of the children who did not have ASD. However, this was lower for Black children (54%) compared to others. Larger studies are now underway to more fully assess the apps predictive value among diverse populations.</p>
<p>The researchers found that of all the toddlers who screened positive for ASD, only 41% were later diagnosed with the condition, but that was a significant improvement over the 15% found in studies using a caregiver questionnaire alone. When the apps screening data were combined with data from caregiver questionnaires, the likelihood of a positive screen leading to an ASD diagnosis rose to more than 63%. Screening that relies on integrating data from multiple sources, the researchers note, will likely improve results.</p>
<p>“There is a wide range of expertise amongst health care providers in knowing and being able to recognize all the potential signs of a child being on the autism spectrum,” Dawson explains. “This app could help clinicians focus on the areas in which the child needs help, as well as identify areas of strength.”</p>
<p>—by Vicki Contie</p></div><h2 class="label-above">Related Links</h2><ul class="spaced print-urls"><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/role-brain-development-hereditary-autism-spectrum-disorder" target="_top">Role of Brain Development in Hereditary Autism Spectrum Disorder</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/app-may-help-identify-children-autism-spectrum-disorder" target="_top">App May Help Identify Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/gene-linked-sex-differences-autism" target="_top">Gene Linked to Sex Differences in Autism</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/where-toddlers-look-affected-genes-altered-autism" target="_top">Where Toddlers Look Is Affected by Genes and Altered in Autism</a></li><li><a href="https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2020/04/autism-spectrum-disorder" target="_top">Autism Spectrum Disorder: Engaging in a Social World</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nichd.nih.gov/health/topics/autism/conditioninfo" target="_top">About Autism</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/topics/autism-spectrum-disorders-asd" target="_top">Autism Spectrum Disorder</a></li><li><a href="https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/autism" target="_top">Autism</a></li></ul><p class="footnote"><strong class="label-inline">References:&nbsp;</strong><a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37783967/">Early detection of autism using digital behavioral phenotyping.</a> Perochon S, Di Martino JM, Carpenter KLH, Compton S, Davis N, Eichner B, Espinosa S, Franz L, Krishnappa Babu PR, Sapiro G, Dawson G. <em>Nat Med</em>. 2023 Oct;29(10):2489-2497. doi: 10.1038/s41591-023-02574-3. Epub 2023 Oct 2. PMID: 37783967.</p><p class="footnote"><strong class="label-inline">Funding:&nbsp;</strong>NIHs Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) and National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); Simons Foundation.</p>
</div>
<div class="lastupdated">
</div> </div>
<aside class="l-region l-region--sidebar-second masonry-container">
<div id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition" id="block-ds-extras-in-this-edition" class="block block--ds-extras box block--ds-extras-in-this-edition">
<h3 class="block__title">In this Edition</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div class="view view-nih-rm-in-this-edition view-id-nih_rm_in_this_edition view-display-id-default view-dom-id-e0b1125fe105d63c629030a02c73f73a">
<div class="view-content">
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/app-aids-early-screening-autism" class="active">App aids early screening for autism </a></p> </div>
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/discrimination-may-lead-unhealthy-gut-brain-changes">Discrimination may lead to unhealthy gut-brain changes</a></p> </div>
<div>
<p><a href="/news-events/nih-research-matters/how-sars-cov-2-contributes-heart-attacks-strokes">How SARS-CoV-2 contributes to heart attacks and strokes</a></p> </div>
</div>
</div> </div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search" id="block-bean-research-matters-search" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-search">
<h3 class="block__title">Search NIH Research Matters</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---search" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<!-- DigitalGov Search -->
<form id="directorsearch" accept-charset="UTF-8" action="https://search.nih.gov/search/docs" method="get" class="search-form">
<div class="input-wrapper">
<div style="margin:0;padding:0;display:inline"><input name="utf8" type="hidden" value="✓" /></div>
<input id="affiliate" name="affiliate" type="hidden" value="nih" />
<input type="hidden" name="dc" value="678" />
<label for="query2" class="hide">Search NIH Research Matters' stories</label>
<input autocomplete="off" class="usagov-search-autocomplete form-field form-field-search" id="query2" name="query" type="text" />
<input name="commit" type="submit" value="Go" id="searchbutton" class="form-button" />
</div>
</form>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us" id="block-bean-research-matters-contact-us" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-contact-us">
<h3 class="block__title">Connect with Us</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---contact-us" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><a class="button-link" href="https://service.govdelivery.com/accounts/USNIH/subscriber/new?topic_id=USNIH_48" onclick="window.open(this.href,'popup','width=725,height=500,left=25,top=25,location=no,resizable=yes,scrollbars=yes,status=yes');return false;">Subscribe to get NIH Research Matters by email</a></p>
<ul class="icon-list">
<li><a class="icon-link rss-monochrome" href="/nih-research-matters/feed.xml"><span class="icon"></span>RSS feed</a></li>
<li><a class="icon-link facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/ResearchMatters"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
<li><a class="icon-link email-monochrome" href="mailto:nihresearchmatters@od.nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Email us</a></li>
</ul>
<p><strong>Mailing Address:</strong><br />
NIH Research Matters<br />
Bldg. 31, Rm. 5B52, MSC 2094<br />
Bethesda, MD 20892-2094</p></div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori" id="block-bean-research-matters-popular-stori" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-popular-stori">
<h3 class="block__title">Popular Stories</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---popular-stori" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-can-we-slow-aging">Research in Context: Can we slow aging?</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/brain-changes-observed-during-pregnancy">Brain changes observed during pregnancy</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/research-context-detecting-cancer">Research in Context: Detecting cancer</a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/risk-future-burden-dementia-united-states">Risk and future burden of dementia in the United States </a></p>
<p><a href="https://www.nih.gov/news-events/nih-research-matters/complete-wiring-map-adult-fruit-fly-brain">Complete wiring map of an adult fruit fly brain</a></p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about" id="block-bean-research-matters-about" class="block block--bean box block--bean-research-matters-about">
<h3 class="block__title">About NIH Research Matters</h3>
<div class="content" class="block__content">
<div about="/block/research-matters---about" class="ds-1col entity entity-bean bean-research-matters-block view-mode-default clearfix">
<p><strong>Editor:</strong> Harrison Wein, Ph.D.</p>
<p><strong>Assistant Editors:</strong> Vicki Contie and Brian Doctrow, Ph.D.</p>
<p><strong><em>NIH Research Matters </em></strong>is a weekly update of NIH research highlights reviewed by NIHs experts. It's published by the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison">Office of Communications and Public Liaison</a> in the <a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director">NIH Office of the Director</a>.</p>
<p>ISSN 2375-9593</p>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</aside>
</div>
<div class="l-connect-wrapper">
<div class="l-connect">
<h2 class="element-invisible">Connect with Us</h2>
<ul>
<li><a class="contactus-monochrome" href="/about-nih/contact-us"><span class="icon"></span>Contact Us</a></li>
<li><a class="twitter-monochrome" href="https://twitter.com/NIH"><span class="icon"></span>X</a></li>
<li><a class="facebook-monochrome" href="https://www.facebook.com/nih.gov"><span class="icon"></span>Facebook</a></li>
<li><a class="instagram-monochrome" href="https://www.instagram.com/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Instagram</a></li>
<li><a class="youtube-monochrome" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/nihod"><span class="icon"></span>YouTube</a></li>
<li><a class="flickr-monochrome" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/nihgov/"><span class="icon"></span>Flickr</a></li>
<li><a class="social-monochrome" href="/news-events/social-media-outreach"><span class="icon"></span>More Social Media from NIH</a></li>
</ul>
</div>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="l-footer-wrapper">
<footer class="l-footer" role="contentinfo">
<h2 class="element-invisible">Footer</h2>
<ul>
<li><a href="/">NIH Home</a></li>
<li><a href="/virtual-tour">Virtual Tour</a></li>
<li><a href="https://salud.nih.gov">En Español</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/visitor-information">Visitor Information</a></li>
<li><a href="/about-nih/frequently-asked-questions">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li>
<li><a href="/privacy-policy">Privacy Policy</a></li>
<li><a href="/disclaimers">Disclaimers</a></li>
<li><a href="/accessibility">Accessibility</a></li>
<li><a href="/nih-website-archives">NIH Website Archives</a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="/nondiscrimination-notice">Nondiscrimination Notice</a></li>
<li><a href="/institutes-nih/nih-office-director/office-communications-public-liaison/freedom-information-act-office">Freedom of Information Act</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.edi.nih.gov/no-fear-act">No Fear Act</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.hhs.gov/vulnerability-disclosure-policy/index.html">HHS Vulnerability Disclosure</a></li>
<li><a href="https://oig.hhs.gov">Office of Inspector General</a></li>
<li><a class="lastTab" href="https://www.usa.gov/">USA.gov</a></li>
</ul>
<p>NIH&hellip;Turning Discovery Into Health<sup>&reg;</sup></p>
<p>National Institutes of Health, 9000 Rockville Pike, Bethesda, Maryland 20892</p>
<p><a href="https://www.hhs.gov">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services</a></p>
</footer>
</div>
<div class="back-to-top"><a href="#"><span class="icon-arrow-up"></span><span class="text">Back to Top</span></a></div>
</div>
</div>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_7Ukqb3ierdBEL0eowfOKzTkNu-Le97OPm-UqTS5NENU.js"></script>
<script src="https://www.nih.gov/sites/default/files/js/js_E9yUYWK8EMydR0HMIp2PahVxPAClXyH0Cnh782A15UM.js"></script>
</body>
</html>