Getting a timely diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is a major challenge, but new research from York University shows that how young adults—and potentially children—grasp objects could offer a simpler way to diagnose someone on the autism spectrum.

The work is published in the journal Autism Research.

The team, part of an international collaboration, used machine learning to analyze naturalistic hand movements—specifically, finger motions during grasping—in autistic and non-autistic individuals.