NCJ Number
149204
Journal
Child Abuse and Neglect Volume: 18 Issue: 6 Dated: (June 1994) Pages: 495-503
Date Published
1994
Length
9 pages
Annotation
This article describes the facilitated communication (FC) technique that was used by child protection professionals in Minneapolis to assess the reliability of a child sexual abuse report made by a 7-year-old autistic girl.
Abstract
FC uses graphic mode communication systems that are displayed either electronically or nonelectronically; the user selects symbols using a touching or pointing response to answer questions. Critical components of the technique are referred to as attitudinal, physical support, and response prompting. In this case, the child protection agency found that FC worked best when a neutral facilitator was used and when the child was allowed to just speak. Responses given by the child were compared with what the facilitator could have known and not known; the analysis demonstrated that it was the child who was doing the talking, without undue prompting from the facilitator. Evidence provided by FC should be considered as one part of an overall case presentation. 4 reference and 1 appendix