Eye-Tracking device shows promise for faster autism diagnosis in kids
NCT ID NCT05806216
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested a device called EarliPoint that tracks where children look while watching short videos. The goal was to see if it could help diagnose autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children ages 2.5 to 7. Nearly 1,000 children participated, and the device's results were compared to a diagnosis from an expert clinician. The study also looked at whether the device could measure verbal and nonverbal abilities.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- EarliPoint System (a device that tracks eye movements while children watch videos)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this device could provide a faster, more objective way to diagnose autism in young children, potentially leading to earlier support and intervention.
- What could go wrong
- This is a completed study, but the device may not be as accurate as expert diagnosis for all children. It is a diagnostic tool, not a treatment, and its real-world usefulness depends on further validation.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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929 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Aug 2023
- Finished
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Aug 2025
- Lead sponsor
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A company
The lead sponsor is a pharmaceutical, biotech, or medical-device company.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
children ages 31-84 months who are suspected of having autism spectrum disorder or related developmental delays and those who are typically developing.
- Ages
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31 to 84 months
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Subjects must meet all the following inclusion criteria to participate in this study. 1. Male or female individuals between the ages of 31 - 84 months (2.5 - 7 years chronological age) at the time of consent. 2. Generally healthy with no acute illnesses. 3. Normal or corrected-to-normal vision with visual acuity and oculomotor function sufficient to watch short videos. 4. Hearing adequate to hear information presented in age-appropriate videos of social interactions. 5. Subject and parent (or legally authorized representative) are able and agree to attend the required study visit and complete the full battery of psychometric assessments and questionnaires (electronically or in-person where required). 6. Subject's parent (or legally authorized representative) can understand information, instructions, and videos presented in the English language. 7. Subject's parent (or legally authorized representative) can read and understand the Informed Consent Form (ICF). 8. Subject's parent (or legally authorized representative) provides written informed consent allowing the child subject to participate in the study. NOTE: where able, the child subject should also provide assent. Subjects who meet any of the following exclusion criteria are not eligible to participate in this study: 1. Known genetic disorders (e.g., Fragile X, Williams Syndrome, Tuberous Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Neurofibromatosis, Down Syndrome). 2. Severe hearing or visual impairment (e.g., congenital nystagmus, congenital cataracts, previous diagnosis of severe hearing deficits by otoacoustic emissions or auditory brainstem response), which in the opinion of the investigator, would limit the child from completing the EarliPoint eye-tracking procedure or clinical reference assessments. (Note: Corrective lenses are allowable up to a prescription of +/- 5.0.) 3. Acute illnesses likely to prevent successful or valid data collection, i.e., conjunctivitis, fever, uncontrolled allergy symptoms, etc. 4. Subject has an uncontrolled seizure disorder. 5. History or presence of a clinically significant medical disease or a mental state that might confound the study or be detrimental to the subject in the opinion of the investigator. 6. Acute exacerbations of chronic illnesses likely to prevent successful or valid data collection. 7. Receiving therapies that may affect the subject's vision, (i.e., currently receiving or have received the following therapies within 2 weeks of screening: topiramate, chlorpromazine, thioridazine, prednisone, prednisolone (including ophthalmic solutions and ointments), diphenhydramine, or hydroxyzine; or have received ophthalmic antibiotics within 3 days of screening: tobramycin, ciprofloxacin, gatifloxacin, levofloxacin, moxifloxacin and ofloxacin solutions and/or bacitracin ointment). 8. Receiving therapies that may affect the subject's ability to focus attention on the videos, (i.e., if on central nervous system stimulants, Central Nervous System (CNS) depressants, or anticonvulsants, dose must have been stable for at least 2 weeks). 9. Subject is unable or unwilling to undergo EarliPoint testing for up to 20 minutes per assessment (e.g., child has frequent tantrums and tantrums do not subside within 5 minutes). 10. In the opinion of the investigator, the subject and/or parent (or legally authorized representative) are unable, unwilling, or unlikely to comply with all study required procedures and follow-up assessments or to complete the full battery of psychometric assessments (electronically or in-person where required). 11. Subject is receiving or plans to receive any investigational drug or device for the duration of their participation in this study. 12. In the opinion of the Investigator, subject is not a suitable candidate for participation in a research study (NOTE: reason must be specified).
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45229, United States
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Emory University - Marcus Autism Center
Altanta, Georgia, 30329, United States
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Monroe-Meyer Institute for Genetics and Rehabilitation / University of Nebraska Medical Center
Omaha, Nebraska, 68198, United States
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Seattle Children's Hospital
Seattle, Washington, 98115, United States
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Southwest Autism Research and Resource Center
Phoenix, Arizona, 85006, United States
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ThompsonCenter for Autism & Neurodevelopment; University of Missouri
Columbia, Missouri, 65211, United States
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University of Iowa
Iowa City, Iowa, 52242, United States
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University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School
Worcester, Massachusetts, 01655, United States
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Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, Tennessee, 37232, United States
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