Research on Autism

What mixed feelings emerged when I read “To Gift of Hope, Add a Bonus: Love” Commentary, Dec. 21), on autism being treatable. The article expressed what researchers have known for years; that for many children with autism, there is much hope. Hope not only in terms of skills acquired, but hope in terms of actual feelings and emotions. That parents and the press are knowing this, of course, is great. But I am reminded that we as researchers are still sorely failing in disseminating our information quickly and efficiently.

Word to the families is really what it’s all about. Some of the treatment methods mentioned in that article have been around since the 1970s. A student and I published an article in 1986 showing how children with autism can learn to feel and express emotion. The children in our study learned to say “I love you” or “I like you” to significant others. They said “I love you” to parents and favorite therapists, said “I like you” to the majority of therapists, but never spoke either of the two expressions to a particularly bad and boring temporary therapist. If this isn’t emotion, I don’t know what is. Kudos to parents and practitioners who are helping us bridge that huge gap between science and practice.

MARJORIE H.CHARLOP-CHRISTY PhD

Dir., Claremont Autism Center

Claremont McKenna College