Can Toddler’s Attention to ‘Motherese’ Help Diagnose Autism?

Published on February 8, 2023

Just like how a doctor uses a stethoscope to listen to your heartbeat, scientists have developed a new eye-tracking test to measure toddlers’ level of attention to ‘motherese’ speech. ‘Motherese’ speech refers to the sing-songy way that parents often talk to their infants and young children. This study found that the attention level to this type of speech can be used as a biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It’s almost like using a magnifying glass to find small details that may indicate something bigger! The researchers discovered that the eye-tracking test accurately identifies toddlers with a subtype of ASD. Could this test become a useful tool for early diagnosis of ASD in children? Imagine if doctors could use this as an additional tool, alongside other tests, to provide a clearer picture of a child’s development and potential challenges they may face. This exciting research opens up new possibilities in the field of diagnosing and understanding autism. If you want to learn more, be sure to check out the full article!

Toddlers’ level of attention to ‘motherese’ speech can be used as a biomarker for autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to new research. To measure it, scientists developed a new eye-tracking test, which can accurately identify toddlers with a subtype of ASD.

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