Sunday, July 24, 2011

AutCom Policy and Principles on Facilitated Communication

The Autism National Committee (AutCom) is the only autism advocacy organization dedicated to "Social Justice for All Citizens with Autism".  Since 2008, AutCom has had a Policy and highly detailed Principles regarding Facilitated Communication (FC or FCT for facilitated communication training).  Brief excerpts are printed below.


POLICY: It is the policy of the Autism National Committee that everyone has something to say and a right to say it. Facilitated Communication is one accepted and valid way in which individuals with autism can exercise their right to say what they have to say.

PRINCIPLES: 
"People with disabilities (including those on the autism spectrum) who do not communicate meaningfully through speech must have an available means of communication that allows their fullest participation in the world....
AutCom affirms that FC has already proven to be profoundly beneficial in the lives of many people by opening the door to reliable, trusted, and respected symbolic communication for the first time."

Follow this link to read the entire document. http://www.autcom.org/articles/PPFC.pdf