Cindy Scarcella who used the HOAX of Facilitative Communication and Used a Austistic Child to perpatrate False Allegations against the Windrow Family. CINDY SCARCELLA is a WITCH, a POSSESSED demon of SATAN, Satan's current rampage is wrecking families. CINDY SCARCELLA, all POLICE, PROSCECUTORS, JUDGE-all must be BURNED, they are too dangerous to continue Satan's attack on Family and Society. What suddenly became of "Innocent unless Proven Guilty?" Woe to all inhabitants of the Earth.
FC "works" alright but what we are not taking into account is the very real possibility that autistics perceive the world differently which in turn causes a "verification" problem. The autistics have no problem with people not wanting to use the method because of that problem, but it's not fair or right to keep other people who "believe" it or them to not use the method. FC also has powerful therapeutic effects which eliminate the most difficult behaviors of autistics. No small benefit.
Our 9 yr old son began using FC last May. He is now able to type independently most of the time although does sometimes request facilitation. The things he has written coincide with his actions, academics and actions. He knows what he is writing. Look up "Syracuse Univeristy Facilitated Communication" on Yahoo. Read what these children are saying. Educate yourselves instead of critisizing...celebrate!
I am one who uses FC since I was 19 and it has opened my world. I have taken college classes, lectured at conference and have used, at least 6 facilitators at one time - believe me when I say the words spoken are my own. My support has ranged from a finger on the shoulder, me grabbing the tip of a little finger of my mom and touch on my back. While I did started with more support, it has decreasd over time. I can 2 handed type with the left hand having no support at all.
There are suffient studies to prove the person providing the support do not influence the communication. In fact, hard to influence communication when the support some people need is one finger in the shoulder
True. If the support is almost completely removed, and the facilitator is proven to be unaware of the content of the language attributed to the subject--there are cases when this technique is legitimate. But as you stated, there are studies--and those studies have tried to verify FC, only to have proven the words were those of the well-meaning facilitator. Nobody was very surprised by this, because letter boards have been around for a very long time.
I saw this video in Psychology, junior year of high school. I also believed it to be extremely insufficient, informal, and crude regarding methods of communication with those that suffer from severe mental illnesses (autism, cerebral palsy, etc). It was apparent in nearly every shot that the child wasn't even looking at the keyboard while typing.
experienced typists use a framework, a specific position on the keyboard that guides their fingers to the correct keys based on their relation to the initial keys upon which the fingers rest. Experienced typists cannot type with out looking at the keyboard with only one finger. Successful use of FC is an anomaly. For the majority of users involved it is a hoax, perpetrated at the unconscious level. Look at the vast number of organizations that do not accept it, APA, AACAP, AAP, AAMR.
DickJames is right. It is not uncompassionate to recognize the research of professionals on this technique. All FC users have the right to verification in blind tests of their communication. To not do so is a violation of the rights of FC users to free expression and non-manipulation by their caregivers and facilitators. One hallmark of FC is that any fair criticism of the technique is immediately quelled and dismissed.
Bravo miraclevoice. We also do not criticise pianists who often play without looking directly at the keys. My son has been successfully using supported facilitation to communicate for the past 24 yrs. It has enabled him to avoid segration and remain fully integrated within his own community.
I probably couldn't type something I'd only just read like that. Depending on the thing, I'd range from almost nothing to the general gyst of it. And no one questions my ability to type, because I type independently and also speak well.
Verification is meant to verify the words of FC users by professionals who support them--with their best interests in mind. You could type the word APPLE if I showed you an apple. That would be a respectful and precise way to verify if you were or were not being influenced. The issue is supporting people with disabilities and eliminating the known factors of influence that facilitators unwittingly have. Keep the discussion on that point.
I also had this experience working with many adults with communicative disorders. What the belief in so-called "apraxia" did was deny that the people had any mental impairment that limited their communication. Simply put--it's a sort of denial of retardation. Well-meaning, but just wrong. You're OK--it's a ouija board kind of technique. Ouija boards do something, but they don't do what is needed for Autistic people.
I saw this video in one of my psych lectures, and I thought it was heartbreaking. I don't think anyone intended to hurt so many people, it just happened. People in the class were laughing at the parents who adamently believed in this, but I felt so sorry for them... they just wanted to be able to communicate with their children.
It IS heartbreaking, but, it does make me think about what is actually real and unreal. I just recently saw someone getting excited about gold teeth in their mouth, thinking it was a miracle. Not realizing that they either forgot it was dental work, or, subconsciously MADE themselves forget out of a desire to believe.
I worked with a teacher of autistic and Downs children. EACH of these kids had a computerized keyboard on his or her table, and, she'd go around the room, ask them a question, hold their hand and supposedly, they'd type something out while looking up at the ceiling with a blank look in their eyes. The teacher thought she was in communication with their souls, not mind.
I wanted to take one of her students out of her view, do something with the child, then bring the child in and see if the kid could tell the teacher could what I did. However, this seemed to be a very sacred religion to her, to the point where she didn't want me to experiment. I thought if I pushed it, I'd find myself on trial with the kid's hand being held over a keyboard pressing out words saying I touched him or her wrong. It would have been a very bizarre situation.
This teacher had essays of what these orally non-communicative autistic an Down's children supposed had written, and tacked them up on the wall. One essay was about how the child and her parents escaped from Nicargua. When I tried to question the Down's girl about this, she just smiled. Her essay talked in a language that was very Liberal and New Age like...as if a Liberal New Age teacher had written it. The teacher SWORE the little girl wrote it. "Ok", I said.
I had the exact same experience when I worked for a West Coast agency that used FC with many of its clientele. Invariably the language was mis-attributed and contained many ideas and terms that could not have come from the client being facilitated.
Of course my observation as such was dismissed as my 'lowballing' and underestimating the superior intellect of the man in question--who had severe retardation and autism.
It's not a mean-spirited lie, however. Facilitators do not intend to be forming the messages, yet it has been proven that they do. I had this same experience, and I wanted it to be true so badly.
I hope these "facilitators", these sick frauds, burn in hell.
FlatulousMaximus 1 month ago
Cindy Scarcella who used the HOAX of Facilitative Communication and Used a Austistic Child to perpatrate False Allegations against the Windrow Family. CINDY SCARCELLA is a WITCH, a POSSESSED demon of SATAN, Satan's current rampage is wrecking families. CINDY SCARCELLA, all POLICE, PROSCECUTORS, JUDGE-all must be BURNED, they are too dangerous to continue Satan's attack on Family and Society. What suddenly became of "Innocent unless Proven Guilty?" Woe to all inhabitants of the Earth.
libertydogfight 1 month ago
research has shown FC is bogus. See the documentary Prisoners of Silence and look into the research.
DanaGarnerBCBA 1 year ago
Anyone who believes in Facilitated Communication needs to see the excellent Frontline documentary "Prisoners of Silence"
Ravie3 2 years ago
FC "works" alright but what we are not taking into account is the very real possibility that autistics perceive the world differently which in turn causes a "verification" problem. The autistics have no problem with people not wanting to use the method because of that problem, but it's not fair or right to keep other people who "believe" it or them to not use the method. FC also has powerful therapeutic effects which eliminate the most difficult behaviors of autistics. No small benefit.
masculist 2 years ago
@masculist they are people with autism, not "autistics"!
uranelsonfosho 1 year ago
Our 9 yr old son began using FC last May. He is now able to type independently most of the time although does sometimes request facilitation. The things he has written coincide with his actions, academics and actions. He knows what he is writing. Look up "Syracuse Univeristy Facilitated Communication" on Yahoo. Read what these children are saying. Educate yourselves instead of critisizing...celebrate!
davidversusautism 3 years ago
I am one who uses FC since I was 19 and it has opened my world. I have taken college classes, lectured at conference and have used, at least 6 facilitators at one time - believe me when I say the words spoken are my own. My support has ranged from a finger on the shoulder, me grabbing the tip of a little finger of my mom and touch on my back. While I did started with more support, it has decreasd over time. I can 2 handed type with the left hand having no support at all.
miraclevoice 3 years ago
There are suffient studies to prove the person providing the support do not influence the communication. In fact, hard to influence communication when the support some people need is one finger in the shoulder
miraclevoice 3 years ago
True. If the support is almost completely removed, and the facilitator is proven to be unaware of the content of the language attributed to the subject--there are cases when this technique is legitimate. But as you stated, there are studies--and those studies have tried to verify FC, only to have proven the words were those of the well-meaning facilitator. Nobody was very surprised by this, because letter boards have been around for a very long time.
kc7fys 3 years ago
I saw this video in Psychology, junior year of high school. I also believed it to be extremely insufficient, informal, and crude regarding methods of communication with those that suffer from severe mental illnesses (autism, cerebral palsy, etc). It was apparent in nearly every shot that the child wasn't even looking at the keyboard while typing.
GL3NE 3 years ago
Do experienced typist look at the keyboard - no, but we do not criticism them
miraclevoice 3 years ago
experienced typists use a framework, a specific position on the keyboard that guides their fingers to the correct keys based on their relation to the initial keys upon which the fingers rest. Experienced typists cannot type with out looking at the keyboard with only one finger. Successful use of FC is an anomaly. For the majority of users involved it is a hoax, perpetrated at the unconscious level. Look at the vast number of organizations that do not accept it, APA, AACAP, AAP, AAMR.
dickjames1119 3 years ago 4
DickJames is right. It is not uncompassionate to recognize the research of professionals on this technique. All FC users have the right to verification in blind tests of their communication. To not do so is a violation of the rights of FC users to free expression and non-manipulation by their caregivers and facilitators. One hallmark of FC is that any fair criticism of the technique is immediately quelled and dismissed.
kc7fys 3 years ago
Bravo miraclevoice. We also do not criticise pianists who often play without looking directly at the keys. My son has been successfully using supported facilitation to communicate for the past 24 yrs. It has enabled him to avoid segration and remain fully integrated within his own community.
copeartist 3 years ago
What is this meant to prove?
I probably couldn't type something I'd only just read like that. Depending on the thing, I'd range from almost nothing to the general gyst of it. And no one questions my ability to type, because I type independently and also speak well.
Abnormaldiversity 4 years ago
Verification is meant to verify the words of FC users by professionals who support them--with their best interests in mind. You could type the word APPLE if I showed you an apple. That would be a respectful and precise way to verify if you were or were not being influenced. The issue is supporting people with disabilities and eliminating the known factors of influence that facilitators unwittingly have. Keep the discussion on that point.
kc7fys 3 years ago
I also had this experience working with many adults with communicative disorders. What the belief in so-called "apraxia" did was deny that the people had any mental impairment that limited their communication. Simply put--it's a sort of denial of retardation. Well-meaning, but just wrong. You're OK--it's a ouija board kind of technique. Ouija boards do something, but they don't do what is needed for Autistic people.
kc7fys 4 years ago
I saw this video in one of my psych lectures, and I thought it was heartbreaking. I don't think anyone intended to hurt so many people, it just happened. People in the class were laughing at the parents who adamently believed in this, but I felt so sorry for them... they just wanted to be able to communicate with their children.
cocorobichaux 4 years ago
It IS heartbreaking, but, it does make me think about what is actually real and unreal. I just recently saw someone getting excited about gold teeth in their mouth, thinking it was a miracle. Not realizing that they either forgot it was dental work, or, subconsciously MADE themselves forget out of a desire to believe.
Culterminator 4 years ago
I worked with a teacher of autistic and Downs children. EACH of these kids had a computerized keyboard on his or her table, and, she'd go around the room, ask them a question, hold their hand and supposedly, they'd type something out while looking up at the ceiling with a blank look in their eyes. The teacher thought she was in communication with their souls, not mind.
Culterminator 4 years ago
I wanted to take one of her students out of her view, do something with the child, then bring the child in and see if the kid could tell the teacher could what I did. However, this seemed to be a very sacred religion to her, to the point where she didn't want me to experiment. I thought if I pushed it, I'd find myself on trial with the kid's hand being held over a keyboard pressing out words saying I touched him or her wrong. It would have been a very bizarre situation.
Culterminator 4 years ago
This teacher had essays of what these orally non-communicative autistic an Down's children supposed had written, and tacked them up on the wall. One essay was about how the child and her parents escaped from Nicargua. When I tried to question the Down's girl about this, she just smiled. Her essay talked in a language that was very Liberal and New Age like...as if a Liberal New Age teacher had written it. The teacher SWORE the little girl wrote it. "Ok", I said.
Culterminator 4 years ago
I had the exact same experience when I worked for a West Coast agency that used FC with many of its clientele. Invariably the language was mis-attributed and contained many ideas and terms that could not have come from the client being facilitated.
Of course my observation as such was dismissed as my 'lowballing' and underestimating the superior intellect of the man in question--who had severe retardation and autism.
kc7fys 3 years ago
It's not a mean-spirited lie, however. Facilitators do not intend to be forming the messages, yet it has been proven that they do. I had this same experience, and I wanted it to be true so badly.
kc7fys 4 years ago