A Perth-based telehealth startup believes its innovative smartphone application could be a crucial part of the solution to Western Australia's severe paediatrician shortage, which is leaving hundreds of children facing agonising waits for developmental assessments.
Digital Diagnosis: A New Frontier in Child Healthcare
BlinkLab, founded by neuroscientist Dr. James Scott and software developer Didi Onu, has developed a world-first app designed to help assess autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in young children. The core technology analyses a child's response to specific visual and sound stimuli presented on a smartphone screen, measuring subtle reactions like changes in heart rate and facial expression through the device's camera.
The company recently secured $2.5 million in seed funding, led by significant investors including Jelix Ventures and the Perth-based Australian Autism Research Council. This financial boost will accelerate the app's development and clinical validation process. BlinkLab is currently conducting a major trial involving 500 children in partnership with the University of Western Australia and the government of Singapore, with results expected by the end of 2024.
Addressing a Critical Gap in Perth's Health System
The launch of this technology comes at a critical time for Perth's healthcare system. Families are currently enduring wait times of up to two years to see a paediatrician for an autism assessment. This delay can be devastating, as early intervention is widely recognised as key to achieving the best long-term outcomes for children on the spectrum.
Dr. Scott emphasises that the BlinkLab app is not intended to replace paediatricians or clinical psychologists. Instead, it is designed as a accessible screening and monitoring tool. "We see this as being able to be used by GPs, by paediatricians, by psychologists, to help them in their assessment," he explained. The goal is to streamline the initial stages of the diagnostic pathway, identifying children who need further, comprehensive evaluation more quickly and efficiently.
The app's potential extends beyond initial diagnosis. It could allow therapists and families to monitor a child's progress in response to interventions from their own homes, providing valuable objective data between clinical appointments.
The Road Ahead: Regulation and Implementation
For the BlinkLab app to become a widely used medical tool, it must first navigate the rigorous regulatory pathway. The startup is actively pursuing registration with the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) as a Software as a Medical Device (SaMD). Successfully obtaining this approval will be a major milestone, validating the app for clinical use within Australia's healthcare framework.
The broader vision involves integrating this digital tool into the public health system. By providing GPs and other front-line health workers with a reliable, evidence-based assessment aid, the hope is to ease the immense pressure on specialist paediatric services. This could fundamentally change how developmental concerns are initially identified and triaged, ensuring children receive the attention they need without facing years-long delays.
While not a silver bullet, BlinkLab's innovation represents a promising, technology-driven approach to tackling one of Perth's most pressing healthcare challenges. By leveraging the ubiquitous smartphone, it aims to make early childhood development assessment more accessible and timely for families across Western Australia and potentially the world.
