AI Predicts Autism in Children from Medical Data

Autism, also referred to as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurological and developmental disorder that impacts behavior, social interaction, speech, nonverbal communication, self-regulation, and relationships. Symptoms of ASD appear within the first three years of life. Early diagnosis and intervention of ASD may make a significant difference later in life. A new study published in BMJ Health & Care Informatics demonstrates how artificial intelligence (AI) machine learning and real-world health claims data can predict autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children under 30 months. "Our prediction model for ASD diagnosis could lead to a significant impact on the screening strategies for ASD in young children," wrote the study authors affiliated with The Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine and The Pennsylvania State University.