ANEW BRAIN scan could mean that the diagnosis of autism in adults could made within 15 minutes.

Conventional diagnosis techniques rely on observation and analysis of a person’s behaviour, which is usually a lengthy and expensive process.

Autism is a disability that affects the normal development of the brain and impacts a person’s ability to interact and communicate socially. Autism is a called a “spectrum” disorder because the symptoms and characteristics of the disorder can present themselves in a wide variety of combinations. It affects mostly males.

Experts at King’s College London have developed the technology, which they hope will eventually replace techniques for diagnosis that are currently used by medical professionals. They have said that further research will be needed before the technique can be used in clinical practice.

Since the study has shown a 90% success rate in detecting ASD in adults, researchers are hoping that they might be able to extend the technique to diagnosing children as well.

The difficulty in diagnosing children means that young people often suffer delays in treatment, prolonging distress and reducing a person’s quality of life.

For more information go to Irish Autism Action.