The key to identifying kids with and without autism may be in magic, a group of neurologists suspects. And yes, they’re referring to the type of magic where a guy pulls a rabbit from his empty top hat or slices a girl in half before putting her back together.

Researchers noticed that people with autism can often see through the illusions magicians rely on. That’s because a magician’s tactic is to control the observer’s attention. But people with autism tend not to look where they’re directed and in turn they see what the magician doesn’t want them to see.

Now about a dozen magicians have joined the researchers in their efforts to use magic to better understand the autistic mind. The hope is that by understanding how people with autism observe and perceive a magic trick, scientists can learn how to better diagnose and treat the disorder, reports ABC News. To read more click here.

Read more stories like this one. Sign up for Disability Scoop's free email newsletter to get the latest developmental disability news sent straight to your inbox.