Evaluation of word recognition following typing produced through facilitated communication

J Appl Behav Anal. 2019 Oct;52(4):1107-1112. doi: 10.1002/jaba.587. Epub 2019 Jun 24.

Abstract

The extant literature on facilitated communication suggests facilitator control rather than independent communication. We used a novel assessment to evaluate a participant's correct identification of words produced during facilitated communication sessions. The participant was unable to recognize common words that she was being facilitated to type, with correct responding varying as a function of the number of distracter stimuli available. These findings are discussed in relation to behavior-analytic evaluations for alternative medical treatments for autism and related disorders.

Keywords: alternative treatment; autism; facilitated communication.

MeSH terms

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / psychology*
  • Child
  • Communication Aids for Disabled*
  • Communication*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / psychology*
  • Recognition, Psychology / physiology*