EARLY INTERVENTION A MUST FOR AUTISTIC CHILDREN.(MAIN)

Byline: MAUREEN TRICOZZI Clifton Park MmTricozzi@aol.com

I am writing in response to Thomas Sowell's Aug. 18 column on autism. Although I am not familiar with the specifics of Nebraska's ``intensive'' early intervention of children identified as autistic, I don't believe that any early intervention program should be criticized. Early intervention is absolutely necessary to give children the best possible start when a problem exists. My child is a perfect example.

At age 3, my son was diagnosed with an autistic spectrum disorder and began what Mr. Sowell might call intensive therapy. It was about 25 hours per week, 12 months a year and it consisted of in-home …