“Prisoners of Silence” is a documentary by Frontline which shows how autistics people (lacking ability to express themselves” can use technology to express their thoughts and communicate to other people (Frontline, 1993). “Facilitated Communication” (FC), a method of dealing with autistic children was first implemented and rapidly adopted in Australia before any institutions in the US started to use the invention. The method involves an adult holding out the arm of an autistic child over a keyboard attached to a printer. The child types letters (words) which express the autistic person’s ideas. The technology aided in improving the perception of autistic people from people who were severely retarded to those simply requiring some help to communicate their areas. FC proved the soundness in the brain functioning of many autistic children and hence the rise in the popularity of the technology.
The technology was also revolutionary since it was simple to use and hence many autistic people and their caregivers could use it and communicate with ease (Frontline, 1993).
The technology was later disproved because many of the words that ended up on the printed papers were those of the facilitators rather than the assisted person. However, people have believed in the validity of the FC arguing that at least a significant percentage of the words are those of the autistic person. The idea that the person passes could be enough to initiate communication and get them to be heard though in a limited way.
People have also argued that autistic people have difficulty forming words and therefore the assistance obtained from facilitators was necessary. People have also continued they belief in FC because stating that the disapproval was informed by negative preconceptions or rather seeking faults with the method. In all it is evident that when well planned, FC has the potential to help autistic people and those with challenges in communication to express themselves in better manner.
References
Frontline (1993). Prisoners of Silence” Retrieved 2 July 2015 from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXw8Ksvyt5Y&list=PLEH8Df7hns2HaX1fk1Zydx oOxW4BSuU9c
