Autism Screening App

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Issue Date
2016
Authors
Wiegand, Kevan
Publisher
Keywords
Autism spectrum disorders--Diagnosis , Autism in children , Preventive mental health services for children , Mobile apps
Abstract
The cause of Autism has been a subject of great discussion for quite some time, however, researchers have been able to identify unique genetic mutations that may result in the development of the disease. A majority of the signs and symptoms of autism occur in the early years of childhood, from the ages of 2 to 4 years old. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, "more than 3.5 million Americans live with an autism spectrum disorder and the prevalence of autism in U.S. children increased by 119.4 percent from 2000 to 2010," making it the fastest-growing development disability. Under the supervision of my professor, Dr. Mukhtar S. Rana, and the guidance of my colleague, Bilal Khan, I have been able to provide research on successfully creating a mobile application to evaluate the risk of autism in toddlers. The application uses a simple graphical user interface that calculates a risk score based on a psychological questionnaire called the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers. The questionnaire includes twenty questions based on the symptoms of Autism. As part of a computer science research course at the University of Albany, State University of New York, I have been able to associate myself with interesting and demanding research that has potential to shape the way medical institutions evaluate autism in toddlers. This information can be used to provide an incentive for patients to seek professional medical evaluation and for medical practitioners to benefit from the application's flexibility. Our research and the new design of the M-CHAT is a step in the right direction to supplying a medical tool that will be used on a daily basis.
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