Typically, an autism diagnosis is done through in-person communication and observation, but a new study aims to determine if diagnoses can be accurately completed using video calls.

The study, involving 39 children, compared video-based diagnoses with traditional evaluations. It was completed using two remote tools with older children who have the ability to speak in short phrases or full sentences.

The tool for phrase-level speakers worked well, but the tool for fully fluent kids was less consistent, sometimes missing or misidentifying cases.

Parents were generally in favor of the telehealth approach, but comparison between in-person and remote diagnoses disagreed about 64 percent of the time.

Still the results show promise, especially considering that many children with other conditions like ADHD are diagnosed with autism later. Telehealth could become an option for those with limited access to specialists due to location.

For now, these video-based assessments can be a helpful step forward but work best as a support tool, rather than a replacement for in-person diagnosis.

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