A significant development out of the Cleveland Clinic in the USA offers a beacon of hope for families navigating the often lengthy and stressful journey of autism diagnosis.

Their new diagnostic tool, currently in development, has shown promising potential in facilitating earlier identification of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in young children.

This innovation could be a game-changer, potentially sparing countless parents the anguish of extended waiting periods at diagnostic clinics.

The statistics surrounding autism are striking. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 36 children in the United States is diagnosed with ASD.

While specific data for Kenya indicates a prevalence of 1 in 25 children, the reality for many families globally is a frustrating delay in accessing specialist evaluations. Months can pass between initial concerns and a definitive diagnosis.

However, the Cleveland Clinic’s new tool aims to disrupt this challenging reality. Developed with the goal of earlier detection, this innovative approach, known as Autism Eyes, analyzes a child’s gaze and eye movements as they interact with various visual stimuli like videos and images.

By carefully observing these reactions, the tool can aid in making a diagnosis.

Dr. Mohammed Aldosari, a pediatric neurologist at Cleveland Clinic Children’s who was involved in the creation and testing of Autism Eyes, highlights the critical need for faster diagnosis.

“On average, parents suspect something is wrong with their child’s development at about a year of age. However, the diagnosis is made about two to three years later on average,” he explained.

“So, there is a huge lag, and the lag is because of the long waiting list for autism diagnostic clinics.”

Autism Eyes offers several key advantages. Notably, it can provide immediate results, potentially streamlining the diagnostic process significantly.

Furthermore, the tool requires minimal specialized training, suggesting that primary care physicians could eventually administer the test, expanding access to early screening.

Dr. Aldosari emphasizes that the ultimate goal extends beyond simply reducing wait times. Early diagnosis is crucial for initiating timely intervention and treatment. He underscores the concept of “brain plasticity” in children, explaining, “The earlier the intervention, the better the outcome… And this has been proven by multiple studies. So, when we diagnose autism about a year to two, or potentially three years earlier, there is a huge impact in terms of their outcomes.”

While Autism Eyes is still under development and not yet available for clinical use, its potential to revolutionize early autism diagnosis offers a ray of hope for families in the US, Kenya, and around the world.

This innovation could pave the way for earlier support and interventions, ultimately leading to better outcomes for children with autism.