Detecting Autism in Children with an Eye Test
Published: 2022-08-22
Author: Washington State University | Contact: wsu.edu
Peer-Reviewed Publication: Yes | DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10072-022-05976-2
Synopsis: Measuring how a child’s pupils change in response to light could potentially be used to screen for autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Children’s pupillary light reflexes were tested by trained clinical providers using a handheld monocular pupillometer device, which measures one eye at a time. Analyzing the results, the researchers found that children with autism showed significant differences in the time it took for their pupils to constrict in response to light. Lynch’s desire to improve autism screening grew from her experiences watching parents struggle through the cumbersome process of pursuing a formal diagnosis for their child.
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Definition
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disability caused by differences in the brain. Some people with ASD have a known difference, such as a genetic condition. Other causes are not yet known. People with ASD may behave, communicate, interact, and learn in ways that are different from most others. ASD begins before the age of 3 years and can last throughout a person’s life, although symptoms may improve over time. The abilities of people with ASD vary significantly.
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