Video Games as a Tool to Detect Autism Spectrum Disorder

Video games have become a cornerstone of modern culture and entertainment. Now, they’re proving useful in unexpected ways—like spotting autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Here’s how psychologists from Nottingham Trent University in the UK are harnessing this technology.

Researchers at Nottingham Trent University have developed a video game designed to diagnose ASD in children. Early trials suggest it’s effective, achieving an 80% success rate in identifying the condition. The game can also distinguish children with autism from those with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with 70% accuracy.

How the Video Game Works

At the heart of the game is a tool called the Computerized Assessment of Motor Imitation (CAMI). The task is simple: for one minute, a child mimics the movements of an on-screen character. Cameras track their actions, scoring their imitation on a scale from 0 to 1—where 0 means no imitation at all, and 1 signals a perfect match.

According to the study’s authors, children with ASD often struggle to mimic movements or facial expressions. “CAMI picks up on these sensory-motor challenges, showing they’re distinct from what we see in kids with ADHD,” explains Bahar Tunçgenç, a psychologist at Nottingham Trent University.

Testing the Game with Children

To test its effectiveness, the researchers worked with 183 children aged 7 to 13. Of these, 21 had an ASD diagnosis, 35 had ADHD, and the rest showed no such conditions.

The children were evaluated using traditional diagnostic methods for autism and ADHD, alongside the CAMI assessment based on their game performance. Among those with ASD, lower CAMI scores correlated with more pronounced autism symptoms. However, these low scores didn’t tie to ADHD traits or general motor skills. In children without a diagnosis, CAMI results aligned more closely with levels of inattention and physical coordination.

“What makes CAMI so exciting is its simplicity,” says Tunçgenç. “Video games are already a hit with kids. It’s fun for them, delivers quick results, and gives doctors clear data to interpret. I hope one day CAMI becomes a staple in clinical settings everywhere.”