Facilitated communication

a thoroughly discredited but persistent technique

Why we’re speaking out against facilitated communication

 

Facilitated Communication (FC) is a technique being used on individuals with disabilities. It requires the support of a facilitator to “work.” However, in the 30-plus years it has been in use, proponents have failed to produce any reliable evidence to prove their claims of independent communication. In fact, controlled testing shows it is the facilitators, not individuals with disabilities, who control FC-generated messages. FC has been thoroughly discredited by the scientific community. Most major health, education, and autism advocacy organizations have opposition statements and strongly urge their members not to use FC. Individuals with disabilities deserve to have access to communication technologies and methods currently available for use that promote independence and allow them to make their voices heard without interference from facilitators.

Resources for Parents

Introduction to FC and Suggested Reading List

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Resources for Educators

Introduction to FC and Suggested Reading List

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Resources for Reporters

Introduction to FC and Suggested Reading List

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The fact that facilitators often control and direct the typing has been called ‘facilitator influence,’ which seems to be a misnomer. ‘Facilitator influence’ suggests that the disabled person is emitting verbal behavior, and the facilitator is exerting partial control (or ‘influence’) over that behavior. Although partial control certainly may occur when fading prompts within structured teaching programs, such control has not been demonstrated in most cases of FC. Rather than influencing the typed messages, the facilitator appears to be the sole author of those messages. Thus, the focus of analysis is shifted from the disabled person’s behavior to the facilitator’s behavior.

— Hall, G. (1993)

 

Facilitated Communication is Also Known As:

Note: some of these have been co-opted from legitimate, evidence-based methods and techniques. The distinguishing characteristics of FC is facilitator control over the typing or writing activity and prompt dependency for individuals being subjected to it.

 

  • Supported Typing

  • Saved by Typing

  • Facilitated Communication Training

  • Informative Pointing

  • Spelling/Communication Therapy

  • Spellers Method

  • Partnered Typing

  • Rapid Prompting Method

  • Spelling to Communicate

  • Assisted Typing

  • Letter Boarding

  • Supported Decision Making

  • Communication for Education

  • Talking Fingers

  • Mouth to hand learning

  • Hand-Over-Hand

  • Speaking with Eyes

  • Motor Communication

  • Intuitive Pointing

  • Spelling on an iPad

  • Motor-Based Communication Techniques

  • Types for Talking

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