Soma Mukhopadhyay, like so many mothers, would not accept the conventional wisdom when her son
Tito was diagnosed with severe autism. Defying the prognosis that Tito was incapable of accomplishing anything, Soma devised a way to teach her son to read, write and communicate. Tito is now a published author, and Soma has dedicated her life to teaching her revolutionary Rapid Prompting Method to hundreds of autistic children and adults throughout the world.
Soma’s work proves what many parents have suspected: that students with autism are capable of learning at academic levels previously thought unattainable. The power of an academic education improves the lives of all people, and the Rapid Prompting Method is the key to providing the gift of education and communication to students with autism.
This groundbreaking book describes Soma’s innovative technique, and for the first time in print, offers parents and educators a step-by-step guide to implementing this life-changing teaching methodology. It explores the science behind Soma’s uniquely effective approach, and it gives how-to instructions for designing and implementing RPM lessons with various types of learners. Understanding Autism Through Rapid Prompting Method is a pivotal manual for educating persons with autism; it breaks down all barriers that have so long kept them in silent isolation.
Soma is a gifted teacher who has given my son, and countless others with autism, a voice. Soma works with individuals who have previously been thought to be “unteachable” – whom educators, therapists and physicians had all but given up on. Through her tireless efforts, Soma is slowly changing the way society views autism and how educators and parents approach it.
—Dr. Irfan Dahar, MD and Shazia Dahar, parents of 8-year-old son with autism
My son has what most would call “severe” autism. We have tried various approaches working with some of the top professionals in the nation. None has had the impact of Ms. Mukhopadhyay and the Rapid Prompting Method (RPM). I have continued RPM at home and my son has progressed through the math curriculum and is now beginning algebra and is working at grade level or above in other subjects.
—Mary Weldon, mother of 10-year-old son with autism
Soma Mukhopadhyay is the Executive Director of Education for HALO (Helping Autism Through Learning and Outreach) in Austin, Texas. She holds a Bachelor of Education degree and a Masters degree in Chemistry. Students come from all over the world to benefit from her innovative teaching approach. Since developing the Rapid Prompting Method to teach her son Tito, Soma has been featured on CNN International, 60 Minutes II, PBS, BBC, and Good Morning America, and in the New York Times newspaper, People, Scientific American and National Geographic magazines. 
