New technology to detect autism in minutes tested in Qatar
According to a report by Al Jazeera, technology is being tested in Qatar that could help doctors diagnose autism in minutes rather than months.
Researchers at the Qatar Biomedical Research Institute are testing a device that diagnoses autism in infants as young as six months old by tracking their eye movement.
With a success rate of 85 percent, the device picks up eye gaze abnormalities linked to autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Dr Omar El-Agnaf, research team leader, said an early diagnosis makes all the difference.
"The longer a child with autism goes without help, the harder intervention becomes. Therefore early intervention is the key for autism," he told Al Jazeera.
Getting a diagnosis for ASD in Qatar was not always straightforward.
Faisal, 11, was diagnosed eight years ago.
"Back in the day it felt like, where do I go now? So I did travel to the US tro try to get a proper diagnosis, which I got," his mother, Hasna, said.
In the first study of its kind in the region, scientists found that at least one in 100 children in Qatar suffer from some form of ASD.
The Museum of Islamic Art lit up in blue yesterday, April 2nd, to mark World Autism Day
The figure had previously been put at three in every 1,000.
Doctors hope the findings of the study will pinpoint genetic factors that may influence autism and prove useful when it comes to treatment.
Monday marks world autism day. Autism spectrum disorder is a collection of complex disorders that affect a person’s brain development.
The US Centre for Disease Control estimates that 1 in 68 children are affected with autism, while the World Health Organization suggests a prevalence rate of 1 percent, with boys being five times more likely than girls to be affected by the disorder.
Children who suffer from the disorder commonly demonstrate a range of symptoms that include difficulties with communication, social interaction, and restricted repetitive behaviours.
Source: Al Jazeera
Inline image credit: The Peninsula Qatar
Yes, That is good.
Schools are the main issue for autistic kids in Qatar. Here Govt. schools are well equipped with all facilities and staff for such kids but these special needs centres are for the kids of local’s and Arabic expats special needs kids. Private institutes are for money making because they have very small setup with less staff but charging very heavy monthly or hourly fees.
Am the father of a 7years old Autistic kid who diagnosed as ADHD at the age of 3.5 year. I knock many Govt institutes for better advice and help in his education but no use. Now am spending almost 30% of my monthly income for his education in a private autism centre which is only one kind of therapy centre i.e. not a proper school. Because schools are not accepting my application. He is very very sharp minded and intelligent but due to his speech delay and costly institutes we are losing his talent.
I suggest to promote more awareness regarding Autism,and early intervention coz many families think it will be cure with time,which make younger life in problematic .
And also arrange school for autistic child's,as I found many school being too dramatic against their name rather than encouraging child to improve.