Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a disorder that impacts the way an individual communicates, interacts with others, and acts. Diagnosing autism, though, can be challenging at times, particularly when children present symptoms that are similar to other disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). But a new device, created by researchers at Nottingham Trent University and the Kennedy Krieger Institute, may make it easier and more precise to diagnose autism.

What is CAMI?

The device is known as the Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation (CAMI), and it's a one-minute video game. It employs motion-tracking capabilities to observe how children mimic the actions of a video character, such as dancing. After the game, the device measures how accurately the children mimicked the actions.

How does CAMI work

CAMI is intended to measure something referred to as motor imitation skills, or skills that enable one to imitate movements. Kids with autism tend to have sensory-motor impairments, which tend to influence the way they move within the world. The game monitors these impairments and indicates they are specific to kids with autism, and not common with kids that have ADHD.

The game was able to accurately differentiate between children with autism and children who had ADHD or were neurotypical (don't have either disorder) 80% of the time, and thus it is an effective diagnostic tool.

What did the study find?

In a British Journal of Psychiatry study, 183 children aged 7 to 13 participated in the CAMI test. The children were split into four groups:

21 children had autism alone.

35 children had ADHD alone.

63 children had both ADHD and autism.

65 children were neurotypical and did not have autism or ADHD.

The kids played the one-minute game, where they were required to replicate a video avatar's dance steps. The researchers used CAMI to quantify how well the children could mimic the movements. The device was able to differentiate between children with autism and neurotypical children and children with ADHD with 80% accuracy.

Why is CAMI important?

Diagnosis of autism traditionally tends to be centered on how kids socialize or communicate. However, numerous studies have shown that motor and sensory difficulties also contribute majorly to autism. This is why CAMI is so groundbreaking. 

As Bahar Tunçgenç, a researcher at Nottingham Trent University, described, "CAMI taps into these sensory-motor difficulties, showing that they are not shared with children with ADHD."

How might CAMI benefit in the future?

Dr. Stewart Mostofsky, a pediatric neurologist and study co-author, said CAMI might change the way autism is diagnosed. "Diagnosing autism can be challenging, especially when children have overlapping traits with other conditions like ADHD. If the condition is misdiagnosed, it can impact support and resources for the child," he said.

Dr. Mostofsky is confident that CAMI has the potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of autism globally. "By identifying autism as precisely as possible, we can connect children to interventions that improve their quality of life and long-term outcomes," he explained. He also stated that the instrument is rapid, cost-effective, and simple to administer, which makes it perfect for use in clinics.

This new tool could make a big difference in the lives of children with autism. By providing a more accurate diagnosis, it can help doctors offer better support and treatment options. With CAMI, doctors will be able to quickly identify children with autism, even in cases where symptoms are similar to other conditions. This could lead to earlier interventions, helping kids get the support they need to thrive.

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