A new one-minute video game developed by Kennedy Krieger Institute and Nottingham Trent University shows promising results in diagnosing autism among children with an 80% accuracy rate.
A new one-minute video game stands to revolutionize the diagnosis of autism in children, proving both accurate and efficient. Developed by researchers at the Kennedy Krieger Institute and Nottingham Trent University, the tool — known as the Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation (CAMI) — utilizes motion-tracking technology to assess motor imitation skills.
In a recent study published in The British Journal of Psychiatry, 183 children aged 7-13 were asked to mimic the dance-like movements of an on-screen avatar for one minute.
The CAMI tool then measured their imitation performance, distinguishing children with autism from those who are neurotypical with an impressive 80% success rate.
Moreover, CAMI differentiated autism from ADHD with 70% accuracy — a notable achievement given the overlapping traits of the two conditions.
“Diagnosing autism can be challenging, especially when children have overlapping traits with other conditions like ADHD. If the condition is misdiagnosed, it can impact support and resources for the child,” co-author Stewart Mostofsky, a pediatric neurologist and director of the Center for Neurodevelopmental and Imaging Research at Kennedy Krieger Institute, said in a news release.
Current methods of diagnosing autism often demand significant time and resources, involving highly trained clinicians and costing families between $1,500 to $3,000 annually, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine.
This makes CAMI’s efficiency and accuracy highly significant.
“Autism is traditionally seen as a social-communication disorder, but we now know sensory-motor difficulties, like motor imitation, play a key role in shaping social and communication skills. CAMI identifies autism by tapping into these challenges, which are distinct from ADHD,” added senior author Bahar Tunçgenç, a social development expert at Nottingham Trent University. “What makes CAMI exciting is its simplicity. Video games are fun for kids, fast for clinicians and provide clear results.”
Experts believe that with further development, CAMI could be adapted for younger children and those with more severe developmental challenges, expanding its impact.
The researchers are optimistic that CAMI’s success will inspire new methods to simplify and enhance diagnostic tools for other conditions.
“This tool could transform autism diagnoses worldwide,” Mostofsky added. “By identifying autism as precisely as possible, we can connect children to interventions that improve their quality of life and long-term outcomes. We want to see CAMI used widely in clinics to support diagnosis as an alternative that is quick, low-cost and requires minimal set-up.”
The promising results and potential of CAMI mark an exciting step forward in the field of autism diagnosis, potentially easing the burden on families and clinicians alike while ensuring that children receive the timely and accurate support they need.