Dear Mr. Tagami:
Thank you sharing your important article, “Tech Hopes to Develop Early Warning Tools and Treatments for Autism” published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution on August 20, 2010.
The Association for Science in Autism Treatment (ASAT) applauds the researchers at Georgia Tech School of Interactive Computing, Emory University, and the Marcus Autism Center for their pioneering work on an inexpensive, computerized early warning system for young children who have autism.
One cannot overestimate the importance of early intervention for the treatment of autism. As you mention in your article, there is a critical period during which intervention is at its most effective. Addressing social relatedness and communication deficits at this critical time using empirically-supported interventions, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) greatly enhances outcomes for this population.
In a time when media hype and uninformed celebrity testimonials are given greater attention than the scientists making important advancement in the field, it is refreshing to have responsible journalists drawing upon the expertise of trained professionals dedicated to improving the lives of individuals on the autism spectrum.
Sincerely,
Robert H. LaRue, Ph.D., BCBA-D
Board Member, Association for Science in Autism Treatment
