Unveiling Distinctive Eye Tracking Markers to Distinguish Toddlers with High-Risk Autism as Indicated by ADOS Within an Elevated-Likelihood Toddler Sample

We developed stimulus materials and eye tracking variables that, thanks to their robustness, appear promising even when dealing with noisy eye tracking data typical of young children. In the preferential paradigm, beyond AOI ratio measures, GRI variables show promise in distinguishing between toddler groups with higher vs. lower ADOS scores. Furthermore, they may be related to severity based on their marked and significant correlations with ADOS scores. Especially when used in combination, these variables appear well-suited to capturing characteristics indicative of an elevated likelihood of autism.