I accidently reviewed the wrong book the following review is for another book I just got that is titled Autism and Myth of the Person Alone, by Douglas Biklen.
First of all I have to say I haven't had a chance to finish this book, but am almost done with it. I have two autistic children and one is non-verbal. She is learning to use facilitated communication and we can not believe what all she has absorbed over the years and is able to communicate to us now. Expectations in the school and the public are high though and total communication with everyone is expected, and much is questioned - mainly is she doing this or are we. Anyone who has been able to support her in writing will tell you that when she really has something to say, she is definitely pushing her finger to the correct keys. But there are many other questions, such as why she can't do this with everyone, why does she need the arm or hand support and why she isn't always capable of telling us something. This book helped me to understand, that like everything else in autism, some things just can't be explained and we should be grateful for whatever communication she can give us and however she can offer it. The best part of this book is the last chapters which are offered by other autistic individuals who are using facilitated communication, and although have not perhaps "perfected it" as we neuro-typicals would like, are much more able to take a part in life and live happier because of it. Its great to challenge and have high expectations but at the same time we have to understand there may be limitations and to not demean what has been accomplished and that there may be no further perfection of the method.
I would give this book by Rosemary Crossley 3 stars. It is helpful in teaching the method if you don't know anything about it. The only reason I only give it 3 stars is that a lot of the information in the book I already had knowledge of. But if you are interested in Facilitated Communication, it would be a good book to start with. As your child or student starts to learn the method and uses it, the other book I reviewed, accidently above, would be another good choice because it shows how the method works with different people with autism and some of the idiosyncrasies involved that we neuro-typical people just don't understand.
Sorry for any confusion.
- Series: Special Education Series
- Paperback: 160 pages
- Publisher: Teachers College Pr; First Edition edition (January 1, 1994)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 080773327X
- ISBN-13: 978-0807733271
- Product Dimensions: 6.2 x 0.5 x 9 inches
- Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
- Customer Reviews:
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Amazon Best Sellers Rank:
#4,000,441 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #1040 in Popular Psychology Mental Illness Books
- #1952 in Audiology & Speech Pathology (Books)
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