Can viewer proximity be a behavioural marker for Autism Spectrum Disorder?

TL;DR

This study explores whether the distance a viewer maintains from a screen during a sensory sensitivity test can serve as a behavioral marker for Autism Spectrum Disorder in young children, leveraging mobile technology for potential home use.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach of using viewer proximity during a screening test as an autism marker, the first to evaluate this in children aged 2-7 using mobile-based assessments.

Findings

Viewer proximity correlates with autism indicators.

Potential for home-based autism screening tests.

First validation of proximity as a behavioral marker.

Abstract

Screening for any of the Autism Spectrum Disorders is a complicated process often involving a hybrid of behavioural observations and questionnaire based tests. Typically carried out in a controlled setting, this process requires trained clinicians or psychiatrists for such assessments. Riding on the wave of technical advancement in mobile platforms, several attempts have been made at incorporating such assessments on mobile and tablet devices. In this paper we analyse videos generated using one such screening test. This paper reports the first use of the efficacy of using the observer's distance from the display screen while administering a sensory sensitivity test as a behavioural marker for autism for children aged 2-7 years The potential for using a test such as this in casual home settings is promising.