New eye-tracking tech promises earlier autism diagnosis for children in India

In India, the conventional approach to autism screening has often relied on subjective assessments, which frequently result in delayed diagnoses, typically around the ages of four or five. However, a groundbreaking initiative called Get SET Early, introduced by Butterfly Learnings, seeks to revolutionize this process through a more efficient and objective method. Now approved for regulatory use in India, this innovative system harnesses cutting-edge eye-tracking technology combined with behavioral science to deliver a data-driven evaluation in mere minutes. This advancement offers parents and healthcare providers an invaluable opportunity for earlier intervention. The tool, which has been developed by Dr. Karen Pierce, Co-Director of the Autism Center of Excellence at the University of California, San Diego, analyzes children's social attention patterns by monitoring their eye movements. This sophisticated approach generates an overall autism score that not only identifies potential signs of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) but also assesses the severity of the symptoms. By enabling the detection of autism risk in children as young as 12 to 24 months, this technology addresses a significant gap in early intervention services in India. With autism impacting nearly one in 68 children in the country, Get SET Early has the potential to significantly enhance developmental outcomes by facilitating timely, personalized therapy. “I have dedicated over two decades to advancing early detection of autism,” remarked Dr. Pierce. “This system equips parents and pediatricians with a research-supported tool that can fundamentally change developmental trajectories for children.” Butterfly Learnings intends to implement this technology across a network of pediatric clinics, schools, and therapy centers, aiming to establish what it calls India’s largest early screening initiative. In tandem with this new system, the organization will continue to offer therapy, inclusive education, and digital resources for children with developmental challenges.