The robots are here to stay. From self-driving cars to day-trading bots, Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere. By now, it has permeated most industries to some degree, even completely taking over the roles of some jobs in retail and manufacturing. Healthcare is no exception. Recently, one of the new influential roles it is playing is in the diagnosis and support of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It works by enhancing the efficiency, accuracy, and personalization of the process. With unlimited knowledge at its disposal, and continuously evolving processing, AI is making considerable strides in how autism is detected and managed. 

Here are ten ways AI is being used in the support and diagnosis of autism in Markham, Ontario.

1. Early Detection Through Behaviour Analysis

A computer can analyze a person’s voice pattern, pulse, or fingerprint more accurately than a human can. In the same way, there are subtleties in human behaviour that are better picked up by a program than the human eye. AI algorithms can analyze certain behavioural patterns in children, such as facial expressions, eye movement, and speech tone, often before traditional assessments can detect them. These tools can lead to quicker interventions, as they flag potential signs of autism earlier on.

2. Facial Recognition Software

Facial recognition software does an incredible job of recognizing and categorizing human characteristics. They can spot the differences between people possibly better than us. There are emotional responses that are not uncommon in individuals with autism, such as—in some cases—a diminished affect (they show less of a reaction to emotions than their neotypical peers). Machine learning models trained on facial data can detect differences in expressions and can hone in on these subtleties. This helps in both tailoring therapy to improve emotional recognition and early diagnosis.

3. Voice And Speech Pattern Recognition

You can tell a lot about a person’s state of mind by their voice. There are now AI tools that are designed for analyzing speech pitch, prosody, and rhythm to identify markers of ASD. In standard assessments, these subtleties can be easily overlooked. However, with the help of AI, these systems are beneficial in providing additional data.

4. Predictive Analytics For Diagnosis

The chances of your child having autism can be determined, to some degree, before they are even born. The genetic component is a part of what is used in predictive analysis. By combining data from the mother and father, medical history, and behavioural assessments, AI can assist clinicians in predicting the risk of autism in a child. If there are earlier, accurate diagnoses, they can be further supported by the nature of this holistic analysis.

5. AI-Powered Screening Apps

Through the use of AI, there is the potential for parents to do a lot of the assessment themselves from the comfort of their own homes. Mobile applications driven by AI enable parents and caregivers to perform preliminary screenings at the touch of a button. They make it as user-friendly as possible. There are apps that use videos, simple questionnaires, and even games to collect data and offer feedback about potential ASD indicators in your children.

6. Robot-Assisted Therapy

You can practice your speech with another human, but patience can be a factor, as can their ability to stay focused long enough to be consistent in their responses every time. Robots, on the other hand, can hear a child say the same word fifty times in a row without the task seeming tedious and mundane. Social robots, programmed with AI, are being used in therapeutic settings to help children with autism develop social and communication skills. The benefit of these robots is that they provide a non-judgmental interaction that’s exactly the same every time. Many autistic children find this even more comfortable than human interaction.

7. Customized Learning Tools

There are apps, games, and visual aids that are available online and on your phone or tablet. These AI-driven educational platforms adapt to the unique learning styles and needs of autistic students. These systems adjust content based on the learner’s engagement, pace, and response patterns. Using these apps, children with autism can improve on their education when they are not at school. 

8. Emotion Recognition Training

It’s not uncommon for some children with autism to have certain challenges when it comes to correctly identifying emotions in the facial patterns of others. Studies have shown that some children with autism have trouble reacting appropriately to the emotional reaction of others. So there are now AI tools that are used to help individuals with autism recognize and respond to emotions. The program simulates real-life social interactions and provides feedback. Working with this type of simulation, a child with autism is able to build emotional intelligence over time.

9. Wearable Technology

Bright lights, loud sounds, and rough textures can put some children with autism into a state of extreme discomfort. They can be very outspoken about this kind of sensory over-stimulation. There is an AI solution for this. There are wearables, such as wrist bands, that can track physiological signals in your child such as body temperature, heart rate, and motion. Judging from the frequency of the beeps that you hear, these devices can detect stress or impending sensory overload. You know a quickening pace is warning you that a bomb is about to go off. This alert helps caregivers intervene before a meltdown occurs.

10. Data Analysis For Research

A knowledgeable human caregiver will take the time to read every new article and research study about autism as it is published. AI accelerates autism research by processing massive datasets immediately. In this way it is able to uncover new correlations and potential causes. This rapid new information processing enhances our understanding of the condition and paves the way for support strategies and more targeted treatments.

Some people fear the idea that AI will replace human caregivers and clinicians. However, AI is currently more of an accessory than a substitute. As it stands, its role is to enhance a healthcare provider’s ability to understand, diagnose, and support individuals with autism. At Monarch House we have a professional, interdisciplinary staff of occupational therapists, behavioural therapists, psychotherapists, and speech pathologists that are here to help on a human level. We understand the benefits and allure of AI however. As AI evolves, it will provide more accessible, inclusive, and effective tools. These will work to significantly improve the quality of life for those on the autism spectrum and their families.