The value of eye tracking within the research and treatment of people with ASD is becoming more widely realized. Dr Brian Sullivan from the University of Bristol recently published a paper explaining how he and his team used an eye tracking based game to study the auditory thresholds of non-verbal children with ASD. The aim is, that down the track, it may be possible for diagnostic tests to be run more easily to evaluate auditory perception in non-verbal people with ASD.
There's also a significant amount of research into how eye tracking could aid in the early detection and subsequent early intervention of autism. Researchers at Osaka University claim that "by using eye tracking, even a non-expert is able to draw ample information from non-verbal children. The method has a wide range of applications such as screening of developmental disorders in children."
The earlier a child with ASD is diagnosed the better, but often it's hard to receive a diagnosis, either because of a lack of access to clinicians and developmental psychologists, or the fear and stigma surrounding an ASD diagnosis. There is hope that in the future eye tracking could help make diagnosing ASD easier and increase the range of people able to use it as a diagnostic tool which would hopefully lead to earlier intervention and better outcomes.
There's also a growing body of research into how eye tracking can help deliver greater knowledge about brain function in those with ASD. Researchers from the University of Geneva used eye tracking in combination with electroencephalography (EEG) to study the brain activity of children with autism. Their work indicates that it may be possible to develop therapeutic interventions targeting social orienting skills which may help to 'rewire' the brain at an early age when neural plasticity is still possible.
More eye tracking related ASD research is covered in our previous blog post Differences aren't deficiencies: Eye tracking reveals the strengths of individuals with autism. Like many fields, more work is needed to make greater inroads on our understanding of ASD and how to treat it. There are numerous support organizations across the globe which are working to assist research and help families who live with this condition.
Some organizations are listed below:
Autism Speaks (USA)
https://www.autismspeaks.org/
Autism Speaks (Canada)
https://www.autismspeaks.ca/get-involved/participate/world-autism-month/
Autism Awareness Australia
https://www.autismawareness.com.au/
National Autistic Society
https://www.autism.org.uk/