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Projects
Motion Tracking
During 45-minute ADOS sessions, synchronized depth cameras capture clinician child interactions, enabling objective motion metrics proximity, orientation toward the clinician, repetitive/stereotyped movements, and balance/posture. These markers provide reliable, automated indices of social and motor features and allow us to monitor change over time, including response to therapy.
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Whole-Exome Sequencing (WES)
We collect saliva from children diagnosed with ASD and their parents for whole-exome sequencing. The resulting genetic profiles help identify both population-level and family-specific contributors to autism across Israel’s diverse communities, enabling genetically informed subgroups that can guide precision diagnosis, prognosis, and targeted interventions.
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Metabolic Biomarker Study
The ANCAN Biomarker Study investigates metabolic signatures associated with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). We collect biological samples from children diagnosed with ASD—initially blood (~5 mL) and, as the study expands, urine, stool, and hair—and perform biochemical analyses to identify metabolites that distinguish ASD subgroups. These markers can inform earlier and more reliable diagnosis, stratify children into biologically meaningful subtypes, and monitor response to therapy over time. All samples are processed and securely stored in the ANCAN biobank at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev for ongoing analysis. By defining robust metabolic biomarkers, the study aims to clarify biological mechanisms underlying distinct ASD phenotypes and support precision diagnosis and targeted interventions.
Eye Tracking
Toddlers referred with suspected autism watch a series of brief videos in a
15–20 minute session while their gaze is recorded with high precision eye tracking. The stimuli probe social preference, oculomotor reliability/stability, and spatial attention, yielding objective measures of what captures the child’s interest and indicators of oculomotor development. The goal is to develop eye-tracking–based tools for early identification and to quantify how social preference and motor behaviors change over time and in response to specific interventions.
Prenatal Ultrasound & MRI Scans
A considerable proportion of children with autism in our database were born following high-risk pregnancies. Soroka Medical Center’s electronic medical records include prenatal ultrasound examinations and fetal MRI scans for a subset of these children. We are conducting a retrospective analysis of these data to test whether early brain abnormalities can be identified that distinguish high-risk pregnancies that later resulted in an ASD diagnosis from high-risk pregnancies without ASD.
Sleep EEG
In this study we record overnight EEG from naturally sleeping children at the Soroka Sleep Lab. This study reveals important information about each child's brain activity during sleep, potential sleep problems, and potential existence of epileptic-like brain activity that is more evident during sleep. We believe that an EEG exam may be very important for identifying certain sub-types of autism who may be better candidates for specific clinical trials.
Voice analysis
We study speech and sound as objective markers of autism. Using signal processing and machine learning, we analyze audio from clinical visits and ADOS sessions to quantify prosody (e.g., fundamental frequency), identify echolalia, and detect crying/screaming events. We also analyze sounds produced by toys during play. Denoising pipelines improve audio quality, enabling reliable severity indices and longitudinal monitoring, including response to intervention.
Early Educational Settings
In this longitudinal study we are examining how 3-4 year old children with autism improve over time in special education versus inclusion in regular education. This comparison will examine a large number of children with autism who are assigned to each educational setting in Beer Sheva.
Effectiveness and safety of pharmacotherapy in children with ASD
Pharmacotherapy plays an important role in comprehensive care for children with ASD, targeting symptoms such as tantrums/irritability, self-injury, hyperactivity and attention difficulties, sleep problems, anxiety, and seizures. Yet responses and adverse effects vary widely, and negative experiences can deter families from future treatments. This prospective study at the Azrieli National Center follows children who initiate a new medication, tracking ASD-related symptoms, behavior, and adverse events over six months. By identifying child-level characteristics linked to both effectiveness and safety, we aim to help clinicians match the right medication to the right child—improving outcomes and quality of life for children and caregivers.
Late Autism Diagnosis in Children and Adolescents:
Late diagnosis of ASD is linked to distinct demographic and clinical profiles—e.g., girls, lower socioeconomic status, and parental psychiatric history—and to higher rates of psychiatric comorbidities (anxiety, depression, behavioral difficulties) and medical issues (sleep and gastrointestinal problems), which can mask core symptoms and delay identification. This study analyzes anonymized electronic records from Clalit Health Services—over 18,000 children diagnosed with ASD between 2015–2024—to identify factors associated with diagnosis at different stages: early childhood (0–6), latency (6–12), and adolescence (12–18). We will examine risk factors for late diagnosis, compare clinical profiles before and after diagnosis, and assess comorbidities, medication use, and mental-health service utilization (including hospitalizations and follow-up). Findings are expected to inform earlier detection pathways and more tailored diagnostic and intervention strategies for late-diagnosed youth.
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