PEN-POINTING PROBLEMS: UST researchers’ ‘smart pen’ detects mental conditions in children

A pen is mightier than a sword — now, it could be the next big thing in mental health.

Researchers from the University of Santo Tomas (UST) take detection of neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD and autism spectrum disorder to another level through inventing a digital health pen device called iSULAT.

iSulat, or Intelligence Stroke Utilization Learning Assessment and Testing, is a smart pen that can evaluate and gather required data based on the child’s handwriting performance.

The device identifies potential mental health conditions by the child’s stroke patterns, pen pressure, grip, handwriting angles and speed-critical signals.

Children with such cognitive issues often have uneven writing pressure, inconsistent writing speed, poor letter formation and motor planning difficulties.

“Handwriting assessments have been widely used in occupational therapy for centuries, especially in the early detection and intervention of learning disabilities and mental disorders during a child’s developing years,” says Edison Roxas, lead researcher of the study.

However, the Philippines remains behind in the adaptation of such evaluation due to the limited number of occupational therapists.

According to therapists who partnered with the research, the device is meant to fill this existing gap through speeding up the process in an all-in-one pen.

Children mostly spend their time in school — the teachers, who they closely interact with, are also the first to notice and respond to students presenting a mental health issue, whether through providing initial support or referral information. 

“Having an intervention as easy and accessible as iSULAT allows the teachers to adjust and tailor their methods to fit the needs of the child within the classroom,” Roxas added.

Moreover, it saves time while still considering accuracy since teachers can use detected data from everyday writing exercises to help identify students who may acquire mental conditions. 

There are currently twelve available iSULAT smart pens tested in three schools across Luzon. 

The study garnered positive feedback from parents and teachers in schools where the pens were tested for the promising idea in response to such gaps in mental health care. 

Furthermore, the researchers aim for the circulation to expand and reach more areas, help students, therapists and teachers, especially in marginalized areas.

Nothing is never too far-fetched with technology, intelligence and a heart to support mental health care that should be accessible to everyone.

From creating ideas to penning the new future of early detection in mental conditions — indeed, a strong and smart pen has become mightier than an ordinary sword.