Facilitated communication

Facilitated Communication (FC) is a highly controversial and widely discredited technique that was once promoted as a method to help individuals with severe communication disabilities, including autism, communicate. In FC, a facilitator supports the hand or arm of a non-verbal person to help them type or point to letters, words, or symbols. FC was developed in the 1970s by Rosemary Crossley in Australia and gained popularity in the United States in the 1990s, largely through the work of Douglas Biklen at Syracuse University.

The technique aimed to provide a voice to individuals who were thought to have intact intellectual capabilities but were unable to communicate due to motor or sensory impairments. Multiple rigorous scientific studies have shown that the messages produced through FC are often controlled by the facilitator rather than the person with autism. When controlled tests were conducted (where the facilitator was unaware of the questions or information), the individuals being facilitated were unable to produce accurate or meaningful communication. The use of FC has led to significant ethical issues, including false accusations of abuse that have caused immense harm to families and caregivers.

Major organizations, including the American Psychological Association (APA), the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), and the Association for Behavior Analysis International (ABAI), have issued statements against the use of FC due to its lack of validity and potential for harm. Alternatives such as Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) devices, speech therapy, and evidence-based behavioral interventions are recommended for helping individuals with autism improve their communication skills.