Facilitated Communication Essay

PsycINFO Article: This article is about a study that was conducted to determine if there is any positive correlation between behavioral deficits and facilitated communication (FC). In the study 12 students with Autism where tested before and after FC therapy, to examine if there was any benefit from the therapy. The results showed no positive correlation between FC and social interactions. The intended audience of the article would be anyone who wants to know more information about FC. Both of the main authors are from the Department of Special Education at The University of Kansas. The motive of the article is to show that is no direct benefit of FC when treating children with autism. ABC News Article: This article provides information about what FC is and how is works. In the article the author explains that there is no evidence for FC’s reliability or validity. It also points out the problem of the facilitator being the only person, who is communicating, not the children. I think the intended audiences of the article are parents who have autistic children. The author is Dr. Lori Warner from HOPE Center for Autism. Her motive is to provide information to parents who have concerns about FC. APA Web Article: This article explains what FC is and how it was thought to be a new breakthrough treatment method for people with autism and other mental handicaps. The article explains the faultiness of FC through evidence that facilitators were sometimes answering questions for the patients when they were not looking. It also mentions that after many studies there has been no evidence that supports any positive correlation between FC and autism. This article’s intended audience is anyone who is truthful information about FC. This is an extremely credible article because the APA wrote it. Its motive is to provide facts about FC and its fallacies. Client Brief: In the articles that I read, I found no evidence supporting positive benefits of FC. In my opinion, I do not believe that FC will benefit a child with serve mental handicaps or autism. However, I do not see any problem with  using keyboards and other forms of FC to communicate better with your autistic child. If you were making some progress in communication skills, then I would continue exploring ways to better communicate with your child. I would also recommend looking into some other options that might have better results and validity. Works Cited American Psychological Association. (2003, November 20). Facilitated communication: Sifting the psychological wheat from the chaff . Retrieved from http://www.apa.org/research/action/facilitated.aspx Myles, B. S., Simpson, R. L., & Smith, S. M. (1996). Collateral behavioral and social effects of using facilitated communication with individuals with autism. Focus on Autism and Other Developmental Disabilities, 11(3), 163-169, 190. Retrieved from http://search.proquest.com/docview/618883072?accountid=14556 Warner, L., (2008, October 23). What is facilitated communication, and will it help my child with autism?. ABC News. Retrieved from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/AutismTreatment/story?id=5387585