BOOKS & MONOGRAPHS - COMPLETE TEXTS

Barker, B, Leary, M., Repa, S., & Whissel, P., 1993, Getting In Touch; A Workbook on Becoming a Facilitator, DRI Press, Madison

Worksheets and useful short chapters on facilitation practices and techniques. Illustrative diagrams unfortunately show poor facilitation practice, with pressure applied under the index finger. (44 pp)

Berger, C., 1992, Facilitated Communication Guide, New Breakthroughs, Eugene, Oregon, USA. v.1 50 pp, v.2

Berger discovered FCT techniques independently of Crossley and Biklen in 1987 when working in special education classes in Oregon. The first volume of the Guide contains practical information with an emphasis on autism and facilitated handwriting. The second volume goes more deeply into matters such as reading and autism and facilitated communication and technology. Includes a resource guide. Available from New Breakthroughs (see Address List). (140 pp.)

We now need to begin the task of restructuring our own view of people with autism and other developmental disorders, as well as the low-track education system into which they have been placed. A complete paradigm shift is underway.

An expanded version of vol. 1 of Berger,1992, Facilitated Communication Guide, with added classroom teaching materials.

Berger, C. , 1994, Facilitated Communication Technology Guide , New Breakthroughs, Eugene, Oregon, USA

“An extensive list of computer programs and devices used successfully with Facilitated Communication in the United States for the last 7 years.”.

A basic text. The first book to deal with the general technique of facilitated communication training, this book covers the development of the technique in Australia and America, gives examples of its use by people with a range of disabilities, discusses the theoretical basis for the technique, and covers issues of validation and of FCT's implications for the conceptualization of disability.

One of the most personally disappointing aspects of our using facilitated communication or of seeing it used by other people is that for many professionals it is merely a new teaching or communication technique. This perspective... implies that... many people who were previously thought to be dumb are now redefined as smart and must therefore be treated differently. It is a perspective that does not question the validity of treating people differently on the basis of perceived intelligence.

D Biklen, D Cardinal (eds). Contested Words, Contested Science, Teachers College Press, New York: .

A collection of studies (controlled, quantitative ones as well as qualitative investigations) of facilitation, focusing mainly on the authorship question: who is doing the typing, facilitator or the person with the communication impairment. The book includes a chapter by Marcus and Shevin in which Marcus, an FC user, replicates a classic facilitated communication authorship test.

Centre for Community Inclusion, 1993, What Frontline Didn’t Tell You, Centre for Community Inclusion, Orono, Maine

A reponse to attack on FCT in American TV program Frontline. Contains contributions from Biklen, D., Cardinal, D., Haskew, P., Kochmeister, S., Schawlow, A., and others. Available from Centre for Community Inclusion (see Address List). Lists inaccuracies in program, provides examples of evidence disregarded, uncovers program bias.

Collins, A.J., (ed), 1992, Facilitated Communication; A reference book, Annandale, Va., National Association of Private Residential Resources

Crossley, R., 1994, Facilitated Communication Training, Teachers College Press, New York, 150 pp

Basic text on methods of facilitation. Crossley originated the method in Australia in the 1970s and has practiced it widely since. Essential reading.

Facilitated communication training is a strategy for teaching people how to use communication aids. It does not cure anything. It is not a particularly good method of communication. However, it has allowed many individuals to communicate verbally for the first time in their lives. Communication involving facilitation is certainly imperfect, but, for some people, right now it’s the best option. Until we can find a better alternative, it is up to us to make facilitated communication work as well as possible.

Series of case studies tracing various aspects of using facilitated communication training with people who have diagnoses of PVS, autism, Down syndrome, and undifferentiated mental retardation. Essential reading

I tried standing Emma up and holding the Communicator low (if you have a problem with low muscle tone it helps not to have to lift your arm against gravity) and by the end of the session I had Emma spelling out words with no bodily contact at all. Like many of DEAL's clients, she'd liked the human contact involved in arm support, and it was a wrench to be weaned so abruptly. This involved more tears. The next day at school Emma spontaneously typed without any support. She has continued to be able to do so, provided that the Communicator is positioned low so that she doesn't have to lift her hand against gravity.

German translation of Facilitated Communication Training.

Crossley, R. 1998, Il Metodo Della Comunicazione Facilitata, Savona, Provincia di Savona/Associazione Bambini Cerebrolesi Liguria

Italian translation of Facilitated Communication Training.

Crossley, R., & McDonald, A., 1980, Annie's Coming Out, Penguin, London & Melbourne

The story of how FCT was originally devised to establish communication with a young woman with cerebral palsy in an institution for people with mental retardation, and the story of the struggle she then had to gain control of her own destiny through the Australian courts. Essential reading

In 1977 I was taught to communicate by using an alphabet board on which I point to letters in order to spell sentences. That is how I wrote my part of this book.

Dying was dependent on the way you felt. Jobs in mental hospitals do not attract the best doctors, and there was no supervision. The patients could not complain. If you wanted to die you had every opportunity. Many short-stay kids took their chance. Death never appealed to me; I wanted revenge. Now that does not seem to matter. What is important is stopping other kids going through what we went through.

Time was when the strongest emotion I felt was hate, and hate makes you strong. Tender emotions were dangerously softening. Implacable hatred of the whole world which hunted handicapped children into middens like St Nicholas twisted my relationships with people for years.

A collection of DEAL pamphlets on aspects of FCT. DEAL Communication Centre was set up by Rosemary Crossley to asist people with severe communication disorders and was the centre where FCT was first developed in Australia. Available from DEAL Communication Centre, Melbourne, or Facilitated Communication Institute, Syracuse (see Address List); however, much of the material from the pamphlets is now also incorporated into Crossley, Facilitated Communication Training (see above)

DEAL Communication Centre, 1992, Getting the Message; Aspects of communication without speech, DCC, Melbourne

A collection of DEAL pamphlets on non-vocal communication. (66 pp.)

DEAL Communication Centre, 1988, Response to Report of Inter-Disciplinary Working Party on Issues in Severe Communication Impairment, Author, Melbourne

A correction of the major errors of the IDWPISCI report (qv Reports). (64 pages)

Donellan, A., & Leary, M., 1995, Movement Differences and Diversity in Autism/Mental Retardation; Appreciating and Accomodating People with Communication and Behaviour Challenges , DRI Press, Madison

A valuable analysis of the relation between movement disorders and the conceptualisation of developmental disorders. Has a postscript on FCT.

To suggest that facilitated communicating 'does not work' because there may be influence, or we cannot understand the phenomenon, or we cannot always make it predictable, is just bad science.

A psychiatric view of the use of FCT. (45 pp.)

We want to report the degree to which FC reveals aspects of normal psychological development among people with profound communication impairments, and deviations from normalcy in that population that may originate from the customary care provided for people with communication difficulties.

Exhaustive examination of the literature dealing with features of movement disorders and a use of these to offer an alternative explanation of behaviours observed in people with autism. Goes on to suggest applications in clinical treatment situations. Valuable text. (33 pp)

Inter-Disciplinary Working Party on Issues in Severe Communication Impairment, 1988, D.E.A.L. Communication Centre Operation; A Statement of Concern, Author, Melbourne

A collection of anonymous anecdotal reports from an ad hoc group of Victorian psychologists and therapists opposed to the operations of DEAL Communication Centre. Unreliable. (85 pp.)

Jowonio School, 1992, First Words; Facilitated Communication and the Inclusion of Young Children, Author, Syracuse

A manual from an inclusive preschool on techniques and strategies for FCT work with children. Valuable text. Available from Jowonia School (see Address List).

McNabb, W., (ed), 1992, The Handbook of Facilitated Communication, Northwest Centre for Information Resources, Vashon Island

Reprints a number of pamphlets from DEAL Communication Centre and adds other brief instructional material.

Reed, D., 1996, Paid for the Privilege: Hearing the Voices of Autism, DRI Press, Madison

A detailed account of the development of FC use at an autism day centre in St. Paul, Minnesota. Includes extensive transcripts of FC users' prose. Suggests behavioural improvement in clients. Includes also chapter New Scientific Approaches to Challenge Our Assumptions about Austism/Mental Retardation, by Anne Donellan.

Being recognized as individuals with capabilities, rather than persons stuck with disabilities, became possible at MTS with the help of FC. This communication has enabled them to tell us about themselves. We listen, and with accomodations, try to lay the foundation for more productive and happy lives. (162 pp)

A basic working guide to FCT or caregivers, including discussion of such topics as “what should I do if a client is becoming too attached to me? How can I use facilitated communication on a daily basis? What are the possible implications of facilitated communication for staff? Valuable short text. (32 pp.)

Richard, J., Jackson, K., Urich, M, and Urich, A., 1993, First Hand; Personal Accounts of Breakthroughs in Facilitated Communication, DRI Press, Madison

Three case studies; one written by a boy with autism using FCT, one by a facilitator, and one by two parents. Many valuable insights. (55 pp.)

Shane, H. (ed), 1994, Facilitated Communication; The clinical and social phenomenon, Singular Publishing Group, San Diego

Basic anti-FCT text, including chapters by Shane, Green, and others.

Sharing to Learn, 1993, Facilitated Communication; A guide to resource materials, Author, Thornhill (Ontario)

A reprint of articles having appeared in Communicating Together. See address list.

Sharing to Learn, 1993, Facilitated Communication; A set of readings, Author, Thornhill (Ontario)

Reprints articles by (inter alia) Calculator, Crossley, Hudson, McDonald, Shane, and Vicker from Communicating Together, 9; 2, 10; 4, 11; 2 and 11; 4.

Sharing to Learn, 1994, Facilitated Communication; A set of readings (2nd edition) Author, Thornhill (Ontario)

A revised and in some cases expanded reprint of articles on FCT having appeared in Communicating Together.

Shubert, Annagret, 1992, Facilitated Communication Resource Guide,

(240 pp)

Spitz, H., 1997, Nonconscious Movements - From Mystical Messages to Facilitated Communication, Erlbaum (202 pp)

Spitz has previously published a book on why you can't raise the intelligence of people with mental retardation, and takes FCT as the latest in that line. Assuming its falsity (with some few possible exceptions) he then relates it to other phenomena such as Clever Hansing and Ouija boards.

Stafford, L., 1993, Communication Menu Handbook, Longman Paul, Auckland, New Zealand

Useful spiral-bound set of words, phrases and spelling boards for use with facilitated communication. Customisable.

Strandt-Conroy, K., & Sabin, L., 1993, Making Connections: Facilitating Communicating in an Inclusive Classroom, DRI Press, Madison

Journal and case studies dealing with the introduction of FCT into a mainstream sixth grade class setting, including valuable tips on behavioural cuing, and general strategies for introducing FCT to the classroom, adapting lessons, adapting testing, and modifying IEP's. (43 pp).

Twatchman-cullen, D., 1997, A Passion to Believe: Autism and the Facilitated Communication Phenomenon, Boulder, Westview Press

Twatchman's book has various errors of fact that could have been checked, but its serious flaws are more basic. Her viewpoint comes out most clearly in the section where she points out that people using facilitated communication often produce output inconsistent with their previous assessments. How do FCT people account for that? she asks, and seems to think she has made a point. The answer is, of course, that assessments made without being able to communicate with a person would be expected to differ from assessments made with a person who could communicate, and the fact that she cannot see this elementary point points to her basic mind-set. She believes that psychological assessments are infallible, however they are done. She believes that what has been done in the past is infallible, that we already know all we need about (say) autism, and that no new concepts are conceivable or permissible. Writing from this standpoint it is hardly surprising that she misinterprets almost everything about the cases she purports to record. The book is illogical, biased, and an example of 'scientism' rather than scientific thinking. Anybody who can't pick ten internal contradictions in the first chapter has no business calling themselves a sceptic. (208 pp).

Vexiau, Anne-Marguerite, Je Choisis Ta Main Pour Parler

I would very much appreciate any suggestions for additions to this bibliography. I can be reached by e-mail at cborthwick@vichealth.vic.gov.au.

Back to Contents page

Back to Facilitated Communication Training page

Back to DEAL Communication Centre page