Using eye tracking to improve autism screening accuracy in young children
Official title: Testing the accuracy of eye tracking as a screening tool for ASD in the general population
Funded at University of California, San Diego · NIH-11081018 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is exploring how eye tracking technology can help spot autism in kids aged 0-11 by looking at how they pay attention to things, aiming to create better ways to identify those who might need extra support.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R37 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Diego NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (La Jolla, United States) |
| Project start | May 15, 2023 |
| Project end | March 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $662,830 |
| NIH project number | 5R37MH132924-03 |
| Project ID | NIH-11081018 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are children aged 0-11 years who may be at risk for autism spectrum disorder.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are older than 11 years or who do not exhibit any signs of autism may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates the use of eye tracking technology as a new screening tool for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children aged 0-11 years. The study aims to develop and validate six novel eye tracking tests that measure visual and auditory attention patterns, which are critical for identifying ASD. By analyzing data from over 2,000 toddlers, the researchers will establish effective metrics and cut-off values to enhance the accuracy of ASD diagnoses. This approach seeks to address the current limitations of existing screening methods, which often fail to identify children who need further evaluation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnoses of autism, allowing for timely interventions that can significantly improve outcomes for affected children.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using eye tracking for diagnosing autism, indicating that this approach could be a significant advancement in the field.
Where this research is happening
-
University of California, San Diego
La Jolla, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Pierce, Karen L — University of California, San Diego
- Study coordinator: Pierce, Karen L
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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.