Identifying Autism Spectrum Disorder via Automated Analysis of Speech and Facial Expression Recognition
Receiving an autism diagnosis can be a challenging experience for both children and their families. The IDEAS research project aims to address the long and strenuous process that comes with being diagnosed with autism. The research project was conducted in Germany at the University Hospital Leipzig by a team of researchers and educators including Dr. Ulrike Kachel, Prof. Dr. Ute Ritterfeld, and Dr. Michael Buschermöhle.The project began in 2022 and completed at the end of 2025.
The diagnosis process expensive, time-consuming, and overwhelming, and it can also be emotionally taxing for the child, who may feel stressed or anxious throughout. To address this problem, the IDEAS team developed an app that uses advanced software to track and analyze many markers of autism, including speech, facial expressions, gestures, and eye-tracking, allowing for faster, less demanding diagnoses.