Press Releases

Randolph, Mass. — Evidence-based communication intervention is a fundamental right for autistic individuals (NJC, 2024). In recent years, several long-discredited facilitated communication approaches have reemerged under new names, offering families the promise that a non-speaking individual may quickly gain the ability to communicate complex thoughts and ideas through access to a letterboard or other communication system supported by a facilitator. Methods such as Spelling to Communicate (S2C) and the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) are promoted as means of unlocking hidden intelligence and enabling communication for the first time. However, these approaches lack scientific validation (Tostanoski et al., 2014) and may interfere with the development of authentic, independent communication (Travers, 2017). [...]

Randolph, Mass. – The National Autism Center at May Institute is excited to be celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, marking two decades of leadership in the field of autism. Since its founding in 2005, the Center has been a national leader in promoting evidence-based practices, advancing research, and supporting autistic individuals and their families through the compilation and dissemination of comprehensive and reliable resources. As an integral part of May Institute, a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving autistic individuals and individuals with other developmental disabilities, the National Autism Center has been at the forefront of shaping best practices in [...]