An experimental analysis of facilitated communication

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Linguistics
• Disability Studies

Background:

• Facilitated communication (FC) is a controversial method where facilitators assist individuals with communication impairments.
• Previous research has yielded conflicting results regarding the authorship of FC messages.

Purpose of the Study:

• To rigorously evaluate the authorship of messages generated through facilitated communication.
• To determine whether individuals with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities are the true authors of FC output.

Main Methods:

• Evaluated 7 adults with moderate/severe intellectual disabilities and their facilitators using FC.
• Implemented controlled conditions where facilitators' access to information (pictures, activities) was manipulated.
• Tested scenarios with shared information, no facilitator information, and false facilitator information.

Main Results:

• Clients accurately typed messages only when facilitators possessed the correct information.
• Clients failed to type correct answers when facilitators lacked information or received false information.
• Clients relayed information presented to the facilitator, even if it differed from their own experience.

Conclusions:

• The study provides unequivocal evidence that facilitators, not clients, control the typing in facilitated communication.
• These findings challenge the validity of facilitated communication as a genuine method for individuals with intellectual disabilities.
• The results strongly suggest that facilitated communication is not a reliable or independent form of communication.