Video game diagnoses autism in children

The CAMI (Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation) game can detect differences in motor imitation skills using motion tracking technology and thus identify autism. It was developed by researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Nottingham Trent University.

The success rate in differentiating between children with autism and children who were classified as neurologically normal was 80 percent. Children with ADHD or autism could be distinguished from each other with a 70 percent probability.

In the study, 183 children between the ages of seven and thirteen were tested. They were asked to imitate dance-like movements of a video avatar and were assessed by CAMI based on their performance in this task.

A particular challenge is to distinguish between children with ADHD or autism, as both conditions often occur simultaneously, say the researchers. Even experienced doctors cannot always make the right diagnosis.

CAMI should save time and money

The three main characteristics of an autism spectrum disorder are impaired social interaction, impaired communication and repetitive stereotypical behaviors and interests. Diagnosing these appropriately is often very cumbersome and involves many tests. Questionnaires, behavioral observations and developmental tests are just a few examples of approaches that doctors can use. Researchers involved in the study hope that CAMI can reduce the time and cost required for diagnosis, and that its success will inspire other projects that lead to improved diagnostic approaches.

(tlz)