ABSTRACT
Observation of the facilitator 3-client 3 (C3) dyad was particularly noteworthy, since this client’s reportedly profound deficits in overall functioning and the apparent severity of his autistic disorder made him an unlikely candidate for literacy skills acquisition. The facilitated communication (FC) activity began with the facilitator telling the client that she had been told he was having a difficult time lately. Even by FC standards, the client’s candidacy for FC seems shaky at best and suspect at worst. Even within the FC session, C3’s “selection” of letters was highly suspect given his imprecise contact with the letter board. After the facilitator finished reciting the list of words on the pad, the client leaned very close to her. Another important consideration with respect to the determination of letters by the facilitator relates to the problems caused by the client’s inadequate index-finger isolation.
