This is a method, for supporting a person, in their communication process, based on the principles of Facilitated Communication [FC] for typing. FC: drawing, handwriting and painting sprang forth in my students in the spring of 1992. A team of trainers from Syracuse University came to the school and worked with the staff and students for several days. This new technique gave the nonspeaking students [and those with limited speech] a way to communicate with words. This technique bypasses their difficulties with oral speech allowing them to show their inner intelligence and developmental level for drawing.

The work we did with FC: typing lifted the students’ self-esteem. It gave them hope that they could have a more normal life. Shortly, after this training I changed my method of support during the art process.  They began to draw, handwrite and paint.

For years, I had supported students with little hand dexterity using the hand-over-hand technique. This technique relied on me being the dominant person making all the movements for my students. FC relies on the person typing to use their volitional movement. This requires the support person [in this case me] to carry a submissive role. This is not an easy thing to accomplish but it is possible. It is key to the success of the students. I changed the position of my hands from being on top of their --- to placing them under theirs, to the side, or resting my hand on their forearm. The type of support depended on the student’s ability to grasp an object. Their hands tired quickly and they often held my hand moving it with their arm and shoulder muscles.

It was a delightful and exciting time. Finally, after years of working with people with autism — a break through --- a way to communicate with them and discover a whole human being. When the FC speakers [the students] use their volitional movement, they own their communication.