A Qualitative Study of the Process of Facilitated Communication

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Abstract
Qualitative research methods were used to investigate facilitated communication as it was implemented with two sixth-grade students in a general education setting. The areas of interest in this study focused on (a) the process of facilitated communication and (b) the role or roles facilitators played in this process. Participant observations occurred in a variety of school and community settings and interviews were conducted with students, their primary facilitators, and other involved teachers and teaching assistants. The findings revealed that a wide variety of physical accommodations were used to support students during the process of facilitated communication. It appeared that each student used a unique combination of support tailored to his or her individualized needs. Additionally, findings showed that complex and detailed functions were performed by facilitators. These functions included providing physical support, decision-making, and negotiating meaning during interactions. A brief discussion of the implications of these findings is included.

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