Research and development of autism diagnosis information system based on deep convolution neural network and facial expression data

Abstract

Purpose

Facial expression provides abundant information for social interaction, and the analysis and utilization of facial expression data are playing a huge driving role in all areas of society. Facial expression data can reflect people's mental state. In health care, the analysis and processing of facial expression data can promote the improvement of people's health. This paper introduces several important public facial expression databases and describes the process of facial expression recognition. The standard facial expression database FER2013 and CK+ were used as the main training samples. At the same time, the facial expression image data of 16 Chinese children were collected as supplementary samples. With the help of VGG19 and Resnet18 algorithm models of deep convolution neural network, this paper studies and develops an information system for the diagnosis of autism by facial expression data.

Design/methodology/approach

The facial expression data of the training samples are based on the standard expression database FER2013 and CK+. FER2013 and CK+ databases are a common facial expression data set, which is suitable for the research of facial expression recognition. On the basis of FER2013 and CK+ facial expression database, this paper uses the machine learning model support vector machine (SVM) and deep convolution neural network model CNN, VGG19 and Resnet18 to complete the facial expression recognition.

Findings

In this study, ten normal children and ten autistic patients were recruited to test the accuracy of the information system and the diagnostic effect of autism. After testing, the accuracy rate of facial expression recognition is 81.4 percent. This information system can easily identify autistic children. The feasibility of recognizing autism through facial expression is verified.

Research limitations/implications

The CK+ facial expression database contains some adult facial expression images. In order to improve the accuracy of facial expression recognition for children, more facial expression data of children will be collected as training samples. Therefore, the recognition rate of the information system will be further improved.

Originality/value

This research uses facial expression data and the latest artificial intelligence technology, which is advanced in technology. The diagnostic accuracy of autism is higher than that of traditional systems, so this study is innovative. Research topics come from the actual needs of doctors, and the contents and methods of research have been discussed with doctors many times. The system can diagnose autism as early as possible, promote the early treatment and rehabilitation of patients, and then reduce the economic and mental burden of patients. Therefore, this information system has good social benefits and application value.

Citation

Zhao, W. and Lu, L. (2020), "Research and development of autism diagnosis information system based on deep convolution neural network and facial expression data", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 38 No. 4, pp. 799-817. https://doi.org/10.1108/LHT-08-2019-0176