My name is Dr. Amy Hammons. I am a family doctor and the mother of a non-speaking autistic 20-year-old son named Aidan. Aidan learned RPM in 2013 and now uses a letterboard to communicate.

I have partnered with Soma to start a research project using a technique called functional Near Infrared Spectroscopy (fNIRS) to do a brain functionality study on autistics who use RPM to communicate. It is my hope this will show that the origination of the communication is the autistic when spelling on the letterboard or keyboard. Our aim is to prove authenticity of authorship using brain mapping during communication. This could provide the crucial evidence needed to demonstrate the personal agency of the autistic and validate their claim of authentic complex communication using RPM.

We need funds to pay for this research. These funds would be used to lease the fNIRS equipment, pay for transportation and lodging for the investigative team and participants, and consultation fees for the neuroscientific data analysis and software. I am contributing my time creating a research proposal, assembling the members of the team, and eventually recruiting subjects for the study. I hope you will support our cause. Thank you.