| Communication is an important characteristic of human | | | | gives a facilitator to a child with severe communication |
| relationships and is of utmost importance for their | | | | impairment. |
| success. Children who are limited in this area or | | | | By supporting the hand, the wrist, elbow or shoulder of |
| excluded from it live in the risk of partially or total | | | | the child, he or she will be enabled to point targeted to |
| isolation. The ability to communicate with a view to | | | | something, for example images, symbols or letters in |
| learning and personal development is of central | | | | order to communicate. This support enables the child |
| importance for all children. | | | | to better control his or her movements and to point to |
| In this respect, communications support represents an | | | | the designated target at the intended moment. |
| important task for the whole life. | | | | The target audience that could benefit from the |
| Facilitated communication is a communication method | | | | method of Facilitated Communication includes children |
| within the spectrum of supportive communication. | | | | capable of hearing with severe communication |
| Facilitated communication does not constitute a | | | | impairments or - in other words - children with special |
| therapy or cure, but rather is a special education | | | | educational needs in the field of communication. |
| training method that provides a way for some children | | | | Thus, a high proportion of children with autistic |
| with severe communication impairments and | | | | spectrum disorders (particularly infantile autism) belong |
| neuromotor disorders to learn to specifically and clearly | | | | to the target group. |
| point to objects, pictures, symbols, words, sentences | | | | The primary goal of working with FC is the individually |
| and/or letters, and thereby to express themselves. | | | | optimal fulfillment of communications needs of the child |
| In German, the term 'Gestützte | | | | concerned by enabling communication with the highest |
| Kommunikation'has become accepted as the | | | | possible degree of freedom for these children. |
| translation of the English term "Facilitated | | | | The following important aspects in connection with 'FC' |
| Communication"("FC"). The term "Facilitated | | | | need to be emphasized repeatedly. |
| Communication" was coined by the Australian, | | | | It is about:o Improving the quality of life through |
| Rosemary Crossley and literally means eased | | | | enhanced communications possibility.o The promotion |
| communication. | | | | of independence and self-communication.o Enabling |
| In the German literature usually the abbreviation 'FC' is | | | | more differentiated statements. |
| used. | | | | It is not about: |
| For some children with severe communication | | | | Influencing and manipulation of content and messages. |
| impairments 'FC' can mean a valid option for promoting | | | | Today, Facilitated Communication still is a highly |
| and extending communication. | | | | controversial teaching-treatment technique and |
| FC involves - to an individually different extent - | | | | communicative procedure. |
| physical, verbal and emotional-social assistance, which | | | | |