A La Trobe University app that helps detect early signs of autism in young children is in the final count of the Australian Google Impact Challenge.
Run by Google, the competition features 10 Australian organisations using technology to tackle some of the world’s biggest social challenges.
Four winners will receive a $750,000 grant, while six organisations will receive $250,000.
The university’s app was developed by its Olga Tennison Autism Research Centre, in conjunction with cloud computing company Salesforce. It is based on research by Dr Josephine Barbaro.
The centre credits the app – called ASDetect – with pinpointing signs of autism in 4000 children as young as 11 months old.
“Early intervention can enhance a child’s ability to learn for the rest of their lives, which is why this diagnosis is so important,” Dr Barbaro said.
“Our research shows you can detect signs of autism in young children.
“But, without awareness and access to the right information, it’s incredibly difficult for parents to do this on their own.”
The app uses video-based assessments, and provides parents with questions and activities for their children. It features three assessments for children aged 12 months, 18 months and two years old.
Since its launch in February, ASDetect has been downloaded more than 10,000 times.
The centre hopes to expand the app’s reach by tailoring it to linguistically, culturally and socially different countries around the world.
“By rolling out this app internationally, we can assist in the early identification and diagnosis of more than 73 million children, paving the way for early intervention and better developmental outcomes,” Dr Barbaro said.
The 10 finalists will pitch their projects to a judges’ panel on October 26, when three winners will be chosen.
A fourth winner will be decided by public vote.
To vote for La Trobe University’s app, go to impactchallenge.withgoogle.com/australia2016 before October 25.
