A mobile app to improve autism care through AI
Official title: An active learning framework for adaptive autism healthcare
Funded at Stanford University · NIH-10925360 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun mobile app called Guess What that helps kids with autism, ages 0-11, learn social skills by mimicking emotions and interactions on a smartphone, making it easier for families to support their child's development at home.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Stanford University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Stanford, United States) |
| Project start | September 8, 2023 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $463,200 |
| NIH project number | 5R01LM014342-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-10925360 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not diagnosed with autism or are outside the age range of 0-11 may not receive benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an innovative mobile application called Guess What (GW) that uses artificial intelligence to enhance autism healthcare for children aged 0-11. The app engages children in social interactions by prompting them to imitate social and emotional cues displayed on a smartphone, while also tracking their developmental progress. By utilizing AI, the app aims to provide a more consistent and accessible approach to autism treatment, addressing the limitations of current care standards. The project seeks to create a solution that can be used outside of clinical settings, making it easier for families to access effective support.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide children with autism and their families a more effective and accessible way to improve social skills and developmental outcomes.
How similar studies have gone: Other research has shown promising results using AI and mobile technology to support autism treatment, indicating a potential for success in this novel approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Stanford University
Stanford, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wall, Dennis Paul — Stanford University
- Study coordinator: Wall, Dennis Paul
Related research
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Early sensory development and language in infants/toddlers at risk for autism
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Autism Caregiver Coaching in Africa for Young Children
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Autism and Self-regulation: Remote Testing of Heart-Related Signals in Kids
A study to see if remote testing can safely measure how children with autism and disruptive behavior manage emotions and self-control by tracking heart signals and other markers.
-
Understanding brain signals in autism to identify biologically distinct subtypes
This study uses EEG to link how the brain processes sensory information with behavior in young children with autism and related concerns.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.