[Source:  The Daily Mail]

3D face scanning of children can help spot features that point to early signs of autism, researchers have found.

Researchers developed special software to analyse the images to look for signs of the disorder.

They say their work could lead to a low cost screening tool for young children – and help pinpoint the genetic causes of the disorder.

Using advanced 3D imaging and statistical analysis techniques, researchers at the University of Missouri say they have now identified facial measurements in children with autism that may lead to a screening tool for young children and provide clues to its genetic causes.

‘We want to detect the specific facial traits of the face of a child with autism,’ said Ye Duan, associate professor of computer science in the College of Engineering at MU.

‘Doing so might help us define the facial structures common to children with autism and potentially enable early screening for the disorder.’

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