Computer-Based Analysis Of Baby Cries Could Detect Early Autism

Researchers are testing a non-invasive computer-based acoustic analysis of differences in infants’ cry patterns to detect patterns linked with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), neurological problems, or other developmental disorders. The system can evaluate a recorded cry for up to 80 different parameters. The human ear is not sensitive enough to detect the variations evaluated by the system. The research builds on observations in the 1960s that babies with a genetic developmental disorder called Cri du chat syndrome have a distinctive cry caused by a neurological deficit that changes the way infants are able to control their vocal cords . . .