Virginia Tech scientists developing two-minute test for autism spectrum disorder

ROANOKE (WSLS 10) - Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute scientists have developed a brain-imaging technique that may be able to identify children with autism spectrum disorder in just two minutes.  

Officials say this test, while far from being used as the clinical standard of care, offers promising diagnostic potential once it undergoes more research and evaluation.

"Our brains have a perspective-tracking response that monitors, for example, whether it's your turn or my turn," Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute Professor Read Montague said in a written statement, released Thursday. 

Officials say the finding, slated for online publication this week in Clinical Psychological Science, demonstrates that the perspective-tracking response can be used to determine whether someone has autism spectrum disorder.

They say usually, diagnosis – an unquantifiable process based on clinical judgment – is time consuming and trying on children and their families. That may change with this new diagnostic test.