The ABA Speech Podcast- Easy Strategies for Speech Therapists, BCBAs, and RBTs #272: How Technology is Making Autism Diagnosis Faster and More Accessible with Dr. Cheryl Tierney
How can technology help us diagnose autism earlier and get kids the support they need sooner?
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cheryl Tierney to talk about an exciting advancement in autism diagnostics and how technology is helping clinicians and families access answers faster. With long waitlists and limited specialists in many areas, getting an autism diagnosis can sometimes take months or even years. Dr. Tierney shares how new technology is helping change that.
We dive into the EarliPoint system, an FDA-cleared diagnostic aid that uses eye-tracking technology to analyze a child’s viewing behavior while watching short social videos. The system collects an incredible 120 data points per second, giving clinicians objective data to support diagnostic decision-making. Even more exciting, the assessment takes only about 12 minutes and can be used with children as young as 16 months.
Beyond diagnosis, we also talk about how this technology can support clinicians like speech therapists, BCBAs, and occupational therapists by providing data on social engagement, receptive language indicators, and problem-solving skills. That means we can track progress over time and better understand whether interventions are truly moving the needle.
I also loved our conversation about interdisciplinary collaboration and the importance of having someone “quarterback” a child’s care so families receive consistent guidance. This episode highlights how innovation, research, and teamwork can make earlier diagnosis and better support possible for so many families.
#autism #speechtherapy
What’s Inside:
- Why skipping foundational ABA texts worries me for the future of the field
- The ethical responsibility professionals have to collaborate across disciplines
- Why refusing services based on another therapy provider can harm learners
Mentioned In This Episode:
EarliPoint Health
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