A group of scientists at Yale School of Medicine have found that focusing on mouths more than on eyes could be a predictor of autism in toddlers (younger than 2 years old) and the level of social disability. Using eye-tracking technology, this scientists could quantify visual fixations of this little kids and study relationships with their caregivers and the mother-child interactions.
Looking into other people's eyes is very important at this age, because it sets the basis for the socialization process, the perception of other's feelings and thoughts and the shaping of social mind.
This kind of investigations are useful because they offer "biomarkers" of the presence and severity of autism, and help the research on the neurobiology and genetics of this syndrome. Investigators are very proud of this novel methods, because they will allow the early detection of autism, or any kind of social disability, and that way take part in the improving of the child's outcome. An early intervention can improve the toddler's developing brain.
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