What are your opinions on Facilitated Communication?

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I am asking this question after reading discussions about Facilitated Communication (FC) on two discussion boards.

FC is described here - http://www.inclusioninstitutes.org/index.cfm?catID=25 - as "learning to communicate by typing on a keyboard or pointing at letters, images or other symbols to represent messages. Facilitated Communication involves a combination of physical and emotional support to an individual who has difficulties with speech and with intentional pointing (i.e. unassisted typing)"

There is controversy over the validity of FC. My opinion is that while many instances of supposed FC have proved to be fraudulent, there is evidence that it has enabled people, both autistic and non-autistic, to communicate effectively who would not otherwise have been able to do so.

Are there any people here who use or have used FC?

I know he isn't AS but can you imagine Stephen Hawkins locked in his body with no way to communicate? I'll bet many years ago brilliant minds like his were thrown into mental institution and forgotten.

You know?