Researchers at the University of Sussex in England are utilizing “intelligent onesies” equipped with motion sensors to track the movements of newborns from birth to 18 months. This ongoing study aims to identify early indicators of neurodivergent disorders such as autism and ADHD by correlating specific movements like wriggling, sitting, and crawling with infants’ social and communicative development.
Lead author Gillian Forrester, a professor of comparative cognition, highlighted the potential of this research to revolutionize early screening practices for neurodivergent conditions. She emphasized that early detection could pave the way for timely interventions, significantly impacting children and their families.
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The Baby Grow project underscores how the simplicity or complexity of infants’ movements may correlate with cognitive outcomes later in life. Forrester noted that while the link between early motor skills and future social abilities is not fully understood, gathering such data could empower clinicians, GPs, and parents with tools for early identification.
The findings will be showcased at the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, featuring an interactive “Baby Boogie” game to illustrate the complexity of movements associated with healthy cognitive development. Forrester expressed enthusiasm about exploring human evolution and development through this research, emphasizing its potential to bridge insights between humans and the natural world.
