Free Autism Test from Stool Samples in Hong Kong Pilot

A Hong Kong university will offer free autism screening for 200 young children using a new stool sample test. The Chinese University of Hong Kong and its spin-off company, MicroSigX, will run the pilot project starting in January. It targets children aged 18 months to four years who show suspected symptoms. The newly developed tool analyzes gut bacteria from a stool sample. Researchers say it can provide results in as little as one week. Professor Ng Siew Chien, an associate dean at the university, is leading the project. The team hopes the faster, non-invasive test will allow for earlier diagnosis and support for children.