ASU researchers have created a urine screening to test for autism in kids. The test, for children ages 2 – 11, identifies 17 microbial metabolites associated with autism. The test is highly accurate and positive results allow parents to pursue earlier medical, behavioral, and educational interventions and targeted therapies in some cases
Christina Flynn, Director of Autism Diagnostics Lab, Inc. and James Adams, an ASU Professor and President of Autism Diagnostic Lab, Inc., joins “Arizona Horizon”
The test is now available in the U.S. Two of the researchers/authors of the study have children with autism and this is a personal pursuit for them. Flynn is recent doctoral graduate of ASU’s Biodesign Institute.
Flynn stressed the importance of testing for autism when children are younger.
“The idea of testing as young as possible means that treating is much more effective. So, the difference between diagnosing and beginning treatment at two versus age five can mean the difference between a lot of happiness, a lot of challenges, a lot of struggles that can be avoided,” Flynn said.
Adams detailed the discovery that led to the autism test’s development.
“About 90 percent of kids with autism have a gut infection, and those gut bacteria and yeast produce some chemicals that are very harmful and affect gut health and brain health. But they leak out of the gut into the brain, the body, and they’re excreted in the urine, where we can test for them,” Adams said.
Flynn explained her end goal regarding autism screening.
“My goal is universal screening so that we can identify people as young as possible and get them into treatment so that they can live their best lives with the best tools possible,” Flynn said.
