Communication Alternatives in Autism: Perspectives on Typing and Spelling Approaches for the Nonspeaking

by Edlyn Vallejo Peña (Editor)

Ten autistic self-advocates share their experiences with alternative forms of communication such as rapid prompting method (RPM) and facilitated communication (FC), both highly controversial. Their narratives document the complexities that autistic individuals navigate--in both educational and community settings--when choosing to use approaches that utilize letter boards and keyboards. While the controversies remain--RPM requires further scientific study, and FC is subject to criticism about confirmation bias--these individuals share powerful stories in the context of aiming for disability rights. The book concludes with a chapter about best practices for educators, particularly for schools and colleges that have students who use these communication methods.

Genres: Autistic Spectrum Disorder

215 pages, Paperback

Published September 6, 2019

Reviews

[Rachel Morgan]

I absolutely loved this book! Every educator, support personnel, and parent that interacts with someone that is a non-speaking autistic needs to read this book.

Some of my favorite quotes:
“Believing only takes someone who trusts that there is more than what they see. You don’t forget that no matter how someone looks or acts they are with believing in” - Rhema Russell

Access to communication includes:
1). Communication tools
2) Trained Communication partners
3). Sensory and motor supports

“Communicating isn’t just talking, it’s developing a connection with another.” - Emma Zurcher-Long

“If teachers treat their students as learners, their students will learn.” - Henry Frost

“What my teachers believed about me influenced what they taught me. And these teaching practices were the problem, not my autism.” - Dillan Barmache

“The student should not have to prove they are capable of learning. The school needs to provide the educational experiences to teach the student literacy, communication, and skills to be a learner.” - Edyln Pena

[Asher]

This is absolutely the go-to guide for any professional, teacher, or parent who works with a semi-verbal or non-verbal autistic person. Communication Alternatives are a highly controversial topic in the world of autism "professionals," but these ten voices (and the one of the editor, who is, in my humble autistic opinion, the epitome of what it means to be a parent) will stomp to dust any doubts about the helpfulness and effectiveness of these methods. I have often struggled to find and utilize my own voice - I realize after reading I am an unreliably verbal autistic person. Reading the words of those with more severe motor issues than my own, was heartbreaking. We have to do better for all disabled children, especially those who can't communicate in the accepted form. This starts here. By listening to the words of autistic people, however we use them, in whatever form.