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Overview

The Facilitated Communication Institute defines Facilitated Communication as “an alternative means of expression for people who cannot speak or whose speech is highly limited (echoed, limited to one or a few word utterances) and who cannot point reliably.”

A facilitator enables someone to use communication aids with their hands. The facilitator may steady the user's hand, wrist or arm as the user points toward a communication board, speech synthesizer or keyboard. The person may be in training to use the device independently or may always need some assistance.

Facilitated communication is mostly used with but not limited to:

  • Persons with brain injury,
  • Down Syndrome and
  • Autism

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