PRIMA PIETRA: Research, Integration, Enhancement, Assistance and Education Program for Autism Services and Rehabilitation Technologies

It is commonly recognized that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptoms are as early as 12 months of age and that the best outcomes are often achieved through early diagnosis and early intervention. However, there are many challenges to delivering health care to parents with a child with ASD. Difficulties to service delivery and utilization are more intensified for families living in suburban or remote areas, often resulting in limited access to preventative mental health services in general and parenting ASD interventions in particular. As Vismara an Rogers suggested (Vismara, 2010), the use of technology could support long-distance clinical health care. PRIMA PIETRA Italian project is focused on early diagnosis and intervention providing Early Start Denver Model (Dawson et al., 2009) using tele-rehabilitation. PRIMA PIETRA is a collaborative project supported by the Minister of Health of the Sicilian Region, in collaboration with Basilicata and Tuscany Regions.