Arizona PBS has aired a new interview with the leadership of Autism Diagnostics Lab. Prof. James B. Adams, President of Autism Diagnostics Lab and Professor at Arizona State University, and Christina Flynn, PhD, Research Director of Autism Diagnostics Lab, appeared on the Arizona Horizon program to discuss a breakthrough in early autism screening: a simple, non invasive urine test developed by ASU researchers and now available across the United States.
A Simple Urine Test That Changes the Timeline
The screening is designed for children ages 2 to 11 and identifies 17 microbial metabolites associated with autism. The test is highly accurate, and a positive result gives parents something invaluable: time. Early identification allows families to pursue medical, behavioral, and educational interventions sooner, and in some cases targeted therapies, at the age when they matter most.
During the interview, Dr. Flynn emphasized why age is the critical factor. Treatment is far more effective when it begins early, and she explained that starting intervention at age two rather than age five can spare a child years of avoidable struggle and open the door to a much happier developmental path.
The Science Behind the Test: The Gut and Brain Connection
Prof. Adams described the discovery that made the screening possible. Research shows that about 90 percent of children with autism have a gut infection. The bacteria and yeast involved produce harmful chemical compounds that affect both gut health and brain health. These compounds leak out of the gut into the body and the brain, and they are ultimately excreted in urine, which is exactly where the test detects them.
This is the scientific foundation of the MDM™ Gut & Brain Health Test Kit offered by Autism Diagnostics Lab: a urine panel that translates years of peer reviewed ASU research into a practical screening tool that any family can use.
A Personal Mission
For the team behind the test, this work is deeply personal. Two of the researchers and authors of the underlying study are parents of children with autism. Dr. Flynn, a recent doctoral graduate of ASU’s Biodesign Institute, shared her long term vision on air: “My goal is universal screening so that we can identify people as young as possible.” Early identification, she explained, means getting children into treatment sooner so they can live their best lives with the best tools possible.
Watch the Full Interview
The full segment is available on the Arizona PBS website: Urine screening to test for autism in kids on Arizona Horizon.
Ready to take the first step? The test is performed at home with a simple urine sample and processed in our CLIA certified laboratory.