Speech Impairment Detection in Sinhala-Speaking Children Aged 3-4 Years: A Focus on Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a condition characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors, impairing an individual's ability to effectively engage with others. With an estimated global prevalence of 1 in 100 children, ASD rates vary across different countries (World Health Organization, 2023). Identifying and intervening early has been demonstrated to have a significant impact on improving the outcomes of children diagnosed with ASD. The goal of this research is to create and validate a screening tool that is culturally relevant and contextually appropriate for identifying ASD related speech impairments in children between the ages of 3 and 4 who speak Sinhala. In a clinical setting, we conducted a study involving children with and without ASD, gathering a total of 30 audio recordings from both groups. We are employing standardized questionnaires to evaluate question-answering accuracy, collecting voice input to detect speaking tone abnormalities, and analyzing pronunciation skills, all through our developed mobile application, in an effort to detect speech impairments associated with ASD. This development will have significant implications for the identification and treatment of ASD in Sri Lankan children, particularly those who speak Sinhala. This will make a noteworthy contribution to the ASD research field.