Facilitated Communication is “a method of facilitating expressive symbolic communication with people who are nonverbal or who are limited in their expressive ability. It is a training method for people who can’t meaningfully and independently access other communication aids” (Richard, 2000). “FC requires a facilitator to provide physical and other supports in an attempt to assist a person with a significant communication disability to point to pictures, objects, printed letters and words, or to a keyboard” (ASHA, 1995). The physical support that is needed in order to engage in this therapy is to have the facilitator hold the individual’s index finger, hand, wrist or arm in order to help the individual to understand what is needed in order to complete the task.

Reported Strengths/Benefits of Facilitated Communication

1. Provides an alternative communication for those with ASD
2. Can allow for interactive communication
3. Enables self-expression
4. Eases frustration and decreases behavioral disruptions

Reported Weaknesses/Limitations/Concerns of Facilitated Communication

1. They lack the independence needed for those with ASD to initiate communication
2. The actions may be too complex for the individual
3. Less variability across facilitators, devices, and settings
4. It discourages accountability measurement to verify effectiveness
5. FC ignores any verbal expressions/disregards the verbal expressions as meaningless.
6. Increase of difficulty with behavior due to the physical attention.
7. Being able to use their newfound ability on other modalities are limited to the device used during FC.
8. The simple task of typing their unique responses are complex activities, and not everyone with ASD are able to do so.
9. This form of therapy has not been proven to be successful, and can even cause harm to those involved due to the content that is typed by the individual (for example: the child being taken out of the home)

Cost
The cost for this therapy was not found due to the variability (for example: the cost of the facilitator and the equipment).

ASHA Position Statement: Facilitated Communication

References
American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. (1995, March). Position statement: facilitated communication. Asha, 37 (Suppl. 14), pp.22.
Auditory Integration Training and Facilitated Communication for Autism. American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Children with Disabilities. (1998), 102, 431.
Richard, G. J. (2000). Facilitated Communication. The Source for Treatment Methodologies in Autism. East Moline: LinguiSystems. 21-34.