A 1 minute video game could diagnose your child with autism - but experts advise caution

The study of 183 children (all aged 7–13) asked children to watch a video avatar and then copy the dance-like movements on the screen to monitor their imitation skills.

The study in the journal reported that this test had an 80% success rate, being able to correctly identify children with autism when compared to neurotypical children in 80% of cases. It also reported a 70% accuracy rate when differentiating between ADHD and autism.

Whilst this might be an exciting prospect for the hundreds of thousands of people waiting for an assessment in the UK, neurodiversity experts at Neurodiversity Unravelled have warned parents to proceed with caution and that this test can’t actually replace a full assessment that children currently receive when diagnosed with ADHD or Autism.

Louise Lawrence, Speech Therapist and co-director of Neurodiversity Unravelled says that tech can play his part in supporting diagnosis, but shouldn't be relied on online.

"There may be value in using this as a screener and there are many advances in technology which can be used in our clinical area to help add to the robust understanding of the individual when it comes to neurodivergent individuals.

However, just like when you look online for countless tick box questionnaires, and online tests, this does not give a complete picture of the person. As assessors we currently use some standardised and computerised tests as part of our diagnostic assessments as we can see the value of additional information!

However when conducting clinical assessments it is really important to understand the full developmental history and family context of someone with suspected autism, as well as carry out comprehensive interviews and face to face clinical assessments to reach a diagnosis.

There is definitely a danger in using machines to replace humans in assessing autism and ADHD which are complex, subtle, lifelong, spectrum conditions. A multidisciplinary team can’t be replaced by a 1-minute test."

Rebecca Varrall, Co-Director of Neurodiversity Unravelled and Clinical Psychologist explains that imitation is just one specific of autism, which has many other aspects.

"This assessment is measuring a very specific area of functioning which may certainly be an aspect of autism, but it may also feature in many other conditions or presentations as well. Therefore, this is not offering a robust assessment of somebody’s profile, but more a reflection of just that specific function which it’s looking at."

For more information on the study visit: https://www.ntu.ac.uk/about-us/news/news-articles/2025/01/one-minute-video-game-to-diagnose-autism

For more information on Neurodiversity Unravelled visit: https://neurodiversityunravelled.com/