Scientists hope rapid diagnosis of autism translates to children

By Staff Writer

A technological breakthrough may allow doctors to diagnose an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in adults within 15 minutes, researchers say. Developers hope the new detection device will soon work in children.

According to The Journal of Neuroscience, scientists in the U.K. have developed a scan that can assess the brain's structure, shape and thickness. Researchers used 3D imaging to study the brains of 59 male adults ages 20 to 68, with three different samples of people: ASD, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and healthy.

Scientists found the brain scan and 3D images to be very effective in identifying the individuals with an ASD. The author of the study said that a rapid diagnosis can be beneficial to families with young children

"It could help to alleviate the need for the emotional, time consuming and expensive diagnosis process which ASD patients and families currently have to endure," the report read.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of one in 110 children in the U.S. have an ASD.