US teen builds AI tool for autism, ADHD screening

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Key points

• His project earned him second place and $175, 000 at the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search.: Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott.
• 17-year-old New Jersey high schooler Edward Kang built an AI tool that reads the retina for autism and ADHD screening and won $175, 000 for his groundbreaking research.
• Canada Class Action Lawsuit: $8.7 million settlement offers eligible Canadians up to $5, 000 – Check who qualifies and how to claim compensation.
• New Jersey high schooler Edward Kang, 17, developed RetinaMind, an AI tool that analyzes retinal images to identify patterns linked to autism and ADHD.
• Edward KangNew Jersey studentRetinaMindAI autism toolADHD screeningretinal imagingartificial intelligenceRegeneron Science Talent Searchhigh school scienceyoung scientist.

New Jersey high schooler Edward Kang, 17, developed RetinaMind, an AI tool that analyzes retinal images to identify patterns linked to autism and ADHD. His groundbreaking research earned him $175, 000 at the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search. Edward earned second place in the International Research Olympiad and co-founded a club where he teaches peers how to interpret research.

For context, a 17-year-old high school student has developed an artificial intelligence tool that could offer a new way to screen for autism and ADHD by looking at the retina. Edward Kang, a senior at Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, New Jersey, created RetinaMind, an AI-based screening prototype that analyzes retinal images for subtle patterns associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). His project earned him second place and $175, 000 at the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search.: Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott. This person sold half of her Amazon stake, supported erase $40 billion in medical debt with $100 million in donations.

Notably, the surprising connection between the eye and brain.

Kang became interested in the idea after coming throughout research suggesting that retinal images could contain clues concerning autism. "I thought it was fascinating and really unintuitive that you can use something like the eye to understand what's happening in the brain, " Kang informed Smithsonian magazine. Live Events.

In practice, the idea is based partly on the fact that the retina and brain develop from the same tissues. Although those differences can be extremely subtle.: Europe's youngest self-made billionaire: James Dacombe dropped out of high school at 17 to build his startup and now his wealth has crossed the $1 billion mark at 25 How Edward Kang's RetinaMind works, previous research has additionally identified differences in retinal structures among individuals with neurodevelopmental conditions.

Kang trained AI models using retinal images from a sizeable public dataset. The system looks for patterns that may support distinguish between neurotypical individuals and residents with autism or ADHD. He additionally employed an explainable-AI technique called GradCAM to examine which portions of retinal images influenced the model's predictions. RetinaMind doesn't simply produce a result. It generates a heat map highlighting areas that contributed to its prediction, offering researchers a way to understand what the AI is seeing. Smithsonian documented that the model achieved an accuracy rate of concerning 89%.: 18-year-old California student wins $40, 000 in prestigious Regeneron science competition for machine-learning program that could support physicists better understand particle collisions Kang's project went beyond computer modeling. He additionally created a retinal cell model to investigate gene changes that could potentially assist explain the biological differences associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. Why the research could matter.

Autism and ADHD are at present diagnosed primarily through behavioral and developmental assessments rather than a simple physical test. That can create the diagnostic process lengthy. Kang hopes his work could eventually support produce screening earlier and more accessible. "My hope is that RetinaMind will enable earlier diagnoses for neurodevelopmental disorders than currently possible, unlocking earlier treatment and, therefore, a higher quality of life for the millions of patients of autism and ADHD around the world, " Kang remarked. Importantly, RetinaMind is a research prototype and screening tool, not an established clinical diagnostic test. More research and validation would be needed before technology like this could be applied routinely in medical care. From high school project to national recognition.

Kang's achievement places him among America's standout young scientists. The 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search attracted more than 2, 600 applicants, with 40 finalists receiving awards. He is additionally set to attend MIT in the fall, where he can continue exploring the intersection of artificial intelligence, neuroscience and medicine. What began with a teenager wondering whether the eye could reveal something concerning the brain has now become an award-winning research project with the potential to inspire a particularly different approach to neurodevelopmental screening. Add Now!

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Taken together, the developments around US teen builds AI tool for autism, ADHD screening point to a situation that is still moving, and the coming days should bring more clarity.