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| 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) |
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| 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) |
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| 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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