AI-powered autism-detecting pen invented by PH scientists at UST

Researchers at the University of Santo Tomas (UST) have developed a pen that can detect early signs of autism in handwriting.

The project, dubbed ‘iSULAT’ (Intelligent Stroke Utilization, Learning, Assessment, and Testing Pen), was spearheaded by Associate Professor Edison Roxas, chair of the Department of Electronics Engineering.

Roxas said that handwriting is a “deeply personal and unique form of expression, reflecting the individuality of each person.”

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First conceptualized during the pandemic, this idea is connected with established research where children with ADHD display weaker motor skills, thus affecting legibility.

“This distinctiveness makes it both a valuable communication tool and a potential window into a person’s cognitive and motor skills,” he added.

Efficient, objective early diagnosis

Backed by the National Research Council of the Philippines’ Young Scientist Research Grant, the invention uses artificial intelligence and sensory tools to enable more efficient, objective early diagnosis of ADHD, autism, and other neurodevelopmental conditions.

Simply put, it’s an AI-powered smart pen that analyzes the way a person writes, whether through the way they stroke the pen, apply pressure, or make consistent patterns, to see if they have a certain condition.

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The project is also culturally responsive because it seeks to address another issue: the lack of localized developmental assessment tools and occupational therapists.

One UST Graduate School study found that the country is experiencing a shortage of the latter, with only one available for every 30,000 individuals in need, thus making early assessments challenging.

Mixed reactions

In a Facebook post by The Iskolar ng Bayan, comments were mixed, with some expressing appreciation for the proper use of AI, which has raised ethical issues in other fields, and others hopeful that it would be affordable in the future.

Others were skeptical, with one saying that, despite the invention’s noble purposes, its effectiveness is a whole other issue; the comment added that there should be an assessment and evaluation to determine whether this smart pen can help address the situation.

Although this invention is still in its early stages, its innovation cannot be understated. Early detection of ADHD, autism, and other similar conditions can help a child with their social and academic skills by providing early treatment. The iSULAT smart pen can write a better future for those experiencing early signs of neurological conditions.

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