Brain scans of possibly autistic infants and toddlers can predict whether they will develop normal language skills, according to a new study by UC San Diego researchers.
If the results hold up, this would be the first time that brain imaging of living children has been used successfully to guide autism diagnosis and help choose appropriate therapy. Currently, autism assessments are based on behavior.
The scan is performed while the child is sleeping. Recorded language is played, and the researchers look for levels of activity in regions of the child’s brain that respond to language.
