Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) affects one in 54 children and is characterised by difficulties in social interaction, impaired communication skills, and the presence of repetitive behaviours and restricted interests. As a pervasive developmental disorder, autism can have a profound impact on the lives of affected children and their families. However, early intervention (before the age of 3) can significantly reduce the developmental impact of autism by reducing the social deficits and learning difficulties associated with autism.

The overall success of diagnosis and intervention lies in the ability to detect the disorder as early as possible, based on effective pre-screening by parents or primary care practitioners, so that the child can be referred for specialist assessment. For screening, it is hoped that artificial intelligence (AI) tools can be of great help to many parents who are in doubt about their child. When autism is diagnosed, the involvement of families is essential to best support their child's development.

This hackathon aims to develop concepts for user-centred experiences to foster a good connection between families of a child with ASD and professionals (teachers or health practitioners).