Dr. Abigail Copiaco

Director of Computer Engineering and Assistant Professor, University of Dubai

“I am excited about this project because it has the potential to make a real difference in autism diagnosis and management. Using AI to improve early intervention and personalize support could be life-changing for individuals with autism and their families. It is truly rewarding to work on technology that bridges the gap between research and real-world impact.”

The prevalence of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has increased by 70% from 2000 to 2022, posing significant challenges in communication, behavior, and focus for affected individuals. Current diagnostic methods are effective but time-consuming, contributing to high social and economic costs. Moreover, these methods are primarily focused on initial diagnosis, making it difficult to track an individual’s progress over time and adapt interventions to their evolving needs.

This project introduces an AI-powered assistive technology aimed at streamlining ASD diagnosis and management, improving convenience for individuals and efficiency for caregivers and therapists. The system combines Artificial Intelligence techniques with three-dimensional and phenotypic data to accurately assess ASD levels, utilizing the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) as a reference. Delivered through a user-friendly mobile application, the technology supports home-based periodic assessments, reducing stress for both individuals and caregivers.

The system ensures updated insights into an individual’s development by enabling regular progress monitoring, allowing personalized recommendations tailored to their changing support requirements. It also facilitates seamless communication between guardians and therapists, fostering collaboration for better outcomes.

To improve performance, machine learning and deep learning models will be compared and fine-tuned using quantitative metrics and hyper-parameter optimization. This approach ensures precise, adaptive support, continuously monitoring intervention effectiveness and improving outcomes for individuals with ASD. As a collaborative effort between the University of Dubai, Al Amal Psychiatric Hospital, and renowned international research experts, the impact of this technology extends to the UAE and beyond, offering potential solutions to address the growing ASD diagnosis gap worldwide.