Autism Screener

Inspiration

As a father of an autistic son undergoing therapy in a foreign country, I found myself facing numerous challenges. The idea for this app stemmed from my own experiences navigating the complex world of autism therapy and support. I realised the importance of early detection and intervention, and the lack of accessible tools for parents like me to screen their children for autism.

What it does

The Autism Screener app utilises the Q-CHAT-10 Quantitative Checklist for Autism in Toddlers by Allison C, Auyeung B, and Baron-Cohen S (2012) as its framework. It prompts users with questions from the checklist and generates a screening result based on their responses. Additionally, the app incorporates sentiment analysis to adapt the phrasing of questions based on the tone of the user's previous answers, enhancing empathy for parents. Instead of MCQ, it analyses the sentiment of the answer and gets the scoring for Q-CHAT-10, facilitating more effective communication and interaction within the app using the Natural Language.

How we built it

Due to frequent travel between countries, I had to find efficient ways to develop the app. I leveraged Gemini to generate basic code structures, which I then customised to suit my specific requirements. Additionally, I utilised other AI tools to automate certain coding tasks, allowing me to expedite the development process while maintaining the app's functionality and usability.

Challenges we ran into

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Integration of Q-CHAT-10: The Q-CHAT-10 checklist has been successfully incorporated into the app, providing a structured and evidence-based approach to autism screening for toddlers. Utilisation of Sentiment Analysis: Implementing sentiment analysis to dynamically adjust the tone of questions based on user responses, fostering a more empathetic interaction experience. We also used sentiment analysis to record the answers and give the scoring. Instead of using the traditional MCQ, we used Natural Language for Q&A to make the parents more comfortable. The direct question and direct answer might offend the parents, but Q&A in the Natural Language would pacify and make the experience soothing. User-Centric Design: Throughout the development process, the needs and experiences of parents of autistic children are prioritised, ensuring the app provides valuable support and guidance in a user-friendly manner. Efficient Development Despite Time Constraints: Overcoming challenges associated with limited time due to frequent travel between countries, and successfully delivering a functional and impactful app within the constraints. Contribution to Autism Awareness and Support: We are making a meaningful contribution to autism awareness and support by creating a tool that empowers parents with valuable screening resources and guidance. These accomplishments reflect our dedication to leveraging technology to address real-world challenges faced by families affected by autism and our commitment to making a positive impact in their lives.

What we learned

Throughout this journey, I discovered various measures and tools that could have aided me in screening my child for autism. Additionally, I came across valuable tips and resources on the internet that complemented the therapy my child was receiving. My personal experiences and research fueled my determination to create an app that could provide support and guidance to parents in similar situations.

What's Next for Autism Screener

Tips that can be validated from different sources can be incorporated and suggested as per the answer. Every answer determines the level of autism, and every symptom has different problem-solving techniques. These techniques can be presented to the parents to help their child overcome and move ahead with autism.

Built With

• python