The Path to Independence: Introduction to Facilitated Communication
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.Lao Tzu, 6th Century B.C. For thousands of children and adults on the Autism Disorder Spectrum (ADS), the ability to talk or communicate has been disrupted, or virtually eliminated in many cases, by the neurological disorder that affects 1 in every 88 children in the…
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Starting Down the Path to Independent Typing
“I believe we cannot isolate physical independence from the other two elements of facilitated communication – communication and emotional support. Although I am called an independent typer because I no longer need physical touch, I cannot walk into a room, and type without a facilitator. The facilitator must still provide communication and emotional support to…
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The Path to Independence: Step 1 – Facilitator Training
"(Facilitated Communication is) …strongest therapy for people with no means of expression is sensational, controversial, revolutionary, technically subtle FC. It involves understanding movement lapses of people and providing physical support to help overcome them. Plastic nature of users of FC requires topnotch weaning of support towards ultimate goal of independence." Larry Bissonnette, Independent Typer Facilitated…
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The Path to Independence: Step 2 – Presumption of Competence
It is especially important that difficulties with communication not be taken as evidence of intellectual competence, as is often the case. It is easy for school administrators and teachers to make a blanket assumption that non-verbal autistics are mentally disabled as well as physically. The fight to overcome those assumptions is one of the most…
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The Path to Independence: Step 3 – Create & Implement an FC Training Plan
The key to successful Facilitated Communication (FC) training is to create and implement a well-constructed training plan: [one_third] FC user and facilitator agree upon steps towards independence: When will we practice? What activities will we use? How often will we reevaluate our plan? [/one_third] [one_third] Establish at least 1 independent method of communication Yes/no ABCD…
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The Path to Independence: Step 4 – Documentation of Facilitated Communication Progress
As Facilitated Communication (FC) training continues, it is important for the support team (FC trainers, family members, teachers, etc.) to know how far down the Path to Independence the FC user has come. Specific guidelines and standards are needed to support the ongoing use of FC. Evaluation of a person’s progress with FC can be…
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The Path to Independence: Step 5 – Training the Trainer
As the Facilitated Communication (FC) typer continues down the Path to Independence and their skills improve and advance, the facilitator/trainer should also continue to develop and improve their training techniques. The best way for them to do this is to set the goal of becoming a certified Master Trainer. Facilitated Communication Training (FCT) is a…
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Hope Technology School – A Fully Inclusive Education for All Students
The private non-profit Hope Technology School (HTS) offers a WASC accredited K-8 school program, a licensed Preschool Program, as well as an NPA certified Therapy Department and Vocational Education Program. Located in Palo Alto, CA, HTS has been serving Bay Area families since 2001, with a mission to provide a fully inclusive education for both…
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For Non-verbal Autistics and Others with Disabilities, Frederick Douglass’ Fight for Equality Continues Today
Frederick Douglass, the former slave who became one of the leaders of the abolitionist movement, was a well-known social reformer, orator, writer, and statesman. He was most known for his powerful, incisive antislavery speeches and writing. He stood as a living counter-example to slaveholders’ arguments that slaves did not have the intellectual capacity to function…
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The Ember – Words & Music by Autistic Typer John Smyth
The Ember was written by supported typer John Smyth as an English class extra-credit assignment. His original poem was typed by him (all of the words are his, with about 5 verbal suggestions for better clarity from his dad.) John wrote / typed the original keyboard arrangement with the help of Vickie Stohl, his music…
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Everyone Communicates – the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Resource
The website Everyone Communicates is dedicated to people who are still waiting for a means to communicate more effectively. The intention and hope of the site is to help bring access to communication to more people so that someday soon everyone will have the opportunity to communicate effectively, and no one will have to spend…
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The Autism National Committee – Dedicated to Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism
AutCom, the Autism National Committee, is the only autism advocacy organization dedicated to “Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism” through a shared vision and a commitment to positive approaches. AutCom was founded in 1990 to protect and advance the human rights and civil rights of all persons with autism, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, and related…
MoreHelen Keller and Anne Sullivan Demonstrate Self-taught Form of Facilitated Communication
Helen Keller, the blind and deaf American author, political activist and lecturer, is seen in this 1930 newsreel clip as her instructor and lifelong companion, Anne Sullivan, demonstrated how Keller learned to talk. While often described as blind, deaf and mute, the final line of this rare footage proves otherwise. At the end of the…
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Matt Hayes: A Tale of Silence and Beyond – A Tribute to Autistic Intelligence
Watch A Tale of Silence and Beyond, a tribute to autistic intelligence by Matt Hayes. Matt Hayes is autistic. He started typing at a very young age and surprised everyone because everyone thought he was mentally retarded and could not think normally. The film A Tale of Silence and Beyond demonstrates how intelligent autistic people…
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Self advocacy via Facilitated Communication
Watch Johnathan telling it like it is at a DDS hearing “Johnathan telling it like it is at the DDS hearing on November 2, 2011. This was his first time using facilitated communication to self advocate, with the help of Dr. Linda Rammler. He did a great job!” Description from YouTube [dt_divider style=”thick”…
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