It’s an idea similar to molecular profiling, only using sound:  record sounds made by autistic children to create a study set; analyze the “vocal signatures” of those children, and then screen others who may or may not be autistic to determine a probability.  Researchers at the University of Memphis have developed software that can perform the sound analysis based on twelve distinct patterns.  In studies, they found these patterns changed little between ages one and four among autistic children.  While unusual voices have long been recognized as a sign of autism, this new system provides measurements that can advance clinical knowledge.             MORE