This online blog post discusses the rapid prompting method (RPM). The author, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, notes that RPM not only unsupported by evidence but also quite similar to the widely-discredited facilitated communication method. She argues that it is legitimate to demand evidence that communication methods are effective, because the individual with autism is not the one being tested. Instead, asking for evidence means asking RPM facilitators “to demonstrate that they are not putting words in the mouth of someone who doesn’t speak.”

The Development Autism Research Technology (DART) Child Development Lab is an autism research centre at the University of Edinburgh. Research at DART focuses on the use of apps and technology “to support, educate and engage children with autism.” [Website]