In a recent study from the USC Chan Division of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, three groups of children — neurotypical children, those with developmental coordination disorder and others diagnosed as autistic — colored and played games on computer tablets.

Collected data included how hard kids were pressing, and the jerkiness or velocity of movements. The researchers then applied machine learning analytics, a form of artificial intelligence, to process and analyze the information.

The results were published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Researchers hope that once the diagnostic program is ready for use, the early detection will result in earlier, and therefore more effective, interventional therapy.

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