U. Kansas professor Steven F. Warren spent five years studying the LENA system and its accuracy in detecting probable cases of autism. His research, which shows the screening works, has now been published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
LENA, short for Language Environment Analysis, uses audio recordings of children to monitor the development of their language and whether the child could have autism. Children wear the recording device for 16 hours in their natural environment. The information is then sent back to the LENA foundation, where reports are drawn using computer software with specific algorithms.
The research showed that through acoustic parameters and vocalizations, children as young as one year old could be diagnosed with autism. Normally a child isn’t diagnosed until around age five.
Warren, a professor of applied behavioral science and vice provost for research, said the breakthrough could change the way pediatricians treated children who may have autism.
“If further research indicates that this technology is able to identify very young children with autism before they are identified by other means, then yes, this could impact the way doctors view autism screening,” Warren said.
The digital language processor records the number of adult words the child is exposed to and what kind of vocalizations the child makes throughout the day. When the recordings are examined, it produces a developmental age for the child, an autism risk score and a behavioral questionnaire. The screening can also tell parents if the child’s interactions provide greater possibility for verbal improvement.
“It could be useful to parents who are interested in whether their child is being raised in an optimal environment for language development,” Warren said.
Mia Moe, director of communications at LENA, said that the screen sped up the process of autistic diagnosis — a process she said was too slow.
“Parents raise their concerns to the pediatrics but they say, ‘Let’s wait and see; maybe they’re developing slower,’” Moe said. “Well then it’s six months later and it’s really clear that something isn’t right and now they’re on wait list.”
The average time spent on the wait list to see a specialist for diagnosis is six to eight months.
Jill Gilkerson, language research director at LENA, said the disconnect between early intervention and diagnosis was reduced with the screening. She said the LENA screening would change the lives of autistic children because it gave an accurate assessment of their abilities.
“It’s revolutionary because it’s the first tool of its kind that can assess the child in their natural environment,” Gilkerson said. “Fifteen minutes in a completely unnatural environment can allow kids who need help to slip through the system.”
Moe said that by learning of their child’s autism sooner, frustrated parents were better able to take the necessary steps toward treatment.
“It’s horrible to hear these stories about parents fighting against the system and feeling helpless,” Moe said. “There’s nothing worse that knowing something is wrong and everyone saying ‘Let’s wait.’”