Facilitated Communication

Peyton types to talk. The strategy Peyton uses to communicate, called Facilitated Communication, involves a trained support person offering a combination of physical (at Peyton's hand, wrist, or arm) and emotional support so that Peyton can point dependably, typing with one finger on a keyboard. This technique has been used successfully since the 1970s with many people who have difficulties with verbal speech and intentional pointing. Though skeptics have criticized the influence of the support person on the typist, the validity of supported typing has been confirmed by a number of people who have achieved the goal of typing independent of physical support and by respected research studies. The technique is endorsed by organizations such as the the Institute on Communication and Inclusion at Syracuse University, the Autism National Committee, and the Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps. Peyton has demonstrated on a personal level that it is a successful mode of expression for her. While it is beyond the scope of this brief section to reproduce all the research that has shown FC to be an effective outlet for the user, we offer at least a few resources that treat the method more broadly and in greater depth.

Links

Institute on Communication and Inclusion at Syracuse University.

Anne McDonald Center in Victoria, Australia

Wretches and Jabberers a 2010 film by Gerardine Wurzberg featuring Tracy Thresher and Larry Bissonnette