Enhancing and accelerating the pace of autism research and treatment

In a previous In FOCUS column, Kimball and Smith(2007) nicely articulated the benefits and challenges of creating computer technology to support individuals with autism. They also provided a well-devised three-point plan to stimulate and support progress in technology develop-ment for this population. As a follow-up to their column, the current offering expands the discussion by (a) highlighting additional technologies emerging in the field (and as avail-able, providing sample citations or URLs to exemplify each technology), (b) detailing the many ways these innovative technologies can be used to enhance and accelerate the pace of autism research and treatment, and (c) describing the Autism Speaks–Innovative Technology for Autism (ITA) Initiative as a resource to complement and aid Kimball an