Association for Behavior Analysis International

The Association for Behavior Analysis International® (ABAI) is a nonprofit membership organization with the mission to contribute to the well-being of society by developing, enhancing, and supporting the growth and vitality of the science of behavior analysis through research, education, and practice.

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40th Annual Convention; Chicago, IL; 2014

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Paper Session #494
Standing on the Shoulders of Nobody: The Lack of Citations of the Relevant Technical Literature by Advocates of Facilitated Communication
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
10:00 AM–10:20 AM
W183c (McCormick Place Convention Center)
Area: AUT
Chair: Chelsea Dore (Eastern Michigan University)
 
Standing on the Shoulders of Nobody: The Lack of Citations of the Relevant Technical Literature by Advocates of Facilitated Communication.
Domain: Theory
CHELSEA DORE (Eastern Michigan University), James T. Todd (Eastern Michigan University)
 
Abstract: The advocates of Facilitated Communication (FC) claim that their method enables typing- or pointing-based communication in people who cannot speak by providing an assistant who physically stabilizes the persons arm during the typing or pointing. FC advocates claim that fading of support is a goal of the method, such that the subject eventually types independently. Despite a large number of references to fading, it does not appear that FC advocates avail themselves to the large literature on prompting and fading. They also do not seem to employ standard methods to detect or prevent prompt dependency. This study examines the FC literature for evidence that it includes reference to the scientific literature on prompt fading, shaping, and other techniques relevant to the transfer of stimulus control to the natural environment. An initial examination of the literature has revealed few, if any, relevant references. Additional investigations of citations in the FC literature of other relevant principles indicate the same situation. This absence of any meaningful connection to the scientific literature on behavior predicts serious failures in implementation. Specifically we should expect that ignoring these procedures, FC will not lead to independent communication.
 
 

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