"The results indicate the potential value of computer-based therapies for children with ASD," says UAB psychologist Fred Biasini, Ph.D., who studied FaceSay™ in collaboration with Maria Hopkins, Ph.D."...Biasini says this research has important implications for future ASD therapies. "A primary advantage of the computer program is that it's predictable and controlled, which is helpful and important to children with ASD. Live social groups—a traditional therapy—are inherently unpredictable and can present challenges for these children," he notes."Also, the computer tasks performed by children in the study were brief in comparison to the time that might have been spent in social groups to achieve the same gains—we saw benefits that might have taken months to achieve in social groups." [emphasis added]
- UAB Researchers / UAB Magazine / Spring 2008

“I learned I need to look at both halves of the face. I’ve been looking at just the bottom half, at the mouth.”
- Study Participant / 11 year old girl with Asperger’s / Interviewed by MedStar one year later

“We didn’t expect the study to generalize to the playground [or elsewhere outside testing], but we were seeing more positive social interactions after children participated in the study,” Hopkins said. “There was more eye contact. The children were avoiding social situations less.” Parents also reported changes in their children after the study, said Fred Biasini, a UAB assistant professor of psychology and co-conductor of the study. They used social skills more readily.”
- SpecialEdConnection.com / LRP Publications / Aug 2007

"I had Nick's tutor try the gazing exercise [ a "live person" version of "Amazing Gazing"] and he got 7 out of 10 right. ABA does have a gazing component in some of the programs, but not in any of Nick's programs. [Nick got 10 of 10 right on this task with his Mom]"
- Mother of 5 yo,  attributing joint attention results to FaceSay (Nick had not yet done the gazing exercises that are offered in ABA)

"One researcher says the improvements in facial and expression recognition carried over to social settings. Children began using more eye contact on the playground and were more likely to follow eye gazes. Parents reported similar benefits in social interaction at home."
- We Are Central PA, March 2008

"The study found that the children with Asperger Syndrome who used the FaceSay™ program made significant improvements in their ability to read facial expressions. The children with autism made less improvement. Children in both the autism and Asperger groups, however, both improved their ability to recognize emotions."
- Science Daily, June 2007

"She winked at me.  I like the praise and winking".
- 11 yo boy w/ Aspergers

"The kids really enjoyed the games.  They played it on their own.  I think you've got a hit."
- Teacher in a General Special Education classroom (4th and 5th graders at a public elementary school)

"An interactive computer software program called FaceSay™ has been shown to improve the ability of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) to recognize faces, facial expressions and emotions, according to the results of a study conducted by psychologists at the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). The study’s results were presented recently at a meeting of the Association for Psychological Science.

FaceSay™, created by Symbionica L.L.C., features interactive games that let children with ASD practice recognizing the facial expressions of an avatar, or software “puppet.” Specifically, the computer games teach the children where to look for facial cues such as an eye gaze or a facial expression."
- UAB Press Release

"Carryover is a huge challenge.   This will be a great new resource."
- Speech and Language Pathologist

"I thought I'd give you an update on how he has been doing with FaceSay.  He plays all 4 games very well.  Last time I looked, he had 1270+ points.  He was playing at least 4-5 times per week, but maybe more, as he is able to start it on his own."
- Mother of 5 yo boy

"My son has been asking when he can play more FaceSay, which I think is a good feeback for user interest"
- Father of 9 yo boy

"I played the game with my autistic son and he was totally filled with glee."
-Mother of 5 yo boy

I was able to download the games today and it is working very well now. I like the possibility to correct the pronunciation of the names - its an important improvement!!
- Music Therapist at Inclusive School

"Thanks for your creative ideas for the improvement of social function in autism!!"
- Autism Researcher

"The delay time is good for kids who are having trouble and the immediate opportunity to do it again is a good feature. I have one student on the computer with headphones while I work with the others at the therapy table"
- Special Education Teacher, commenting on FaceSay as a classroom activity

"Thank you so much for investing in Autism"
- Father of 6 yo boy