ABUSE ALLEGATIONS AND FACILITATED COMMUNICATION
by Debbie Gilmer
It has long been reported and documented that persons who have limited means of communication, including very young children and persons with disabilities, are at increased risk of abuse, maltreatment and neglect (Eimer & Gregg, 1967; Johnson & Morse, 1968; Green, Voeller, Gaines, & Kubie, 1981; Diamond & Jaudes, 1983; Souther, 1984; Erikson, Egeland, & Pianta, 1989; and, Sobsey, 1994). The literature is replete with such documentation. According to Sobsey (1994) 'research now leaves little doubt that both children and adults with disabilities are likely to be victims of sexual abuse, assault, and exploitation, and that society often responds in a manner designed to protect offenders and blame victims' (p. 52). It is this phenomenon that I would like to briefly explore as it relates to the ongoing debate about the efficacy of facilitated communication
Many are troubled about the fact that some individuals who use facilitated communication have made allegations of physical or sexual abuse and/or other exploitation and mistreatment. Indeed, we should all be troubled. Evidence suggests, however, that rather than blaming the victim or negating the messenger or technique (FC), we must investigate these allegations more fully. For many individuals it may be their first opportunity to yell and scream about incidents of mistreatment and abuse perpetrated upon them. Frankly, it is surprising to me that people would question that allegations have been made. Abuse, neglect or mistreatment is the worst fear of parents, guardians and loved ones. Family and friends speak often of the "vulnerability" of their loved one. Agencies, state departments, schools and social service organizations have reporting procedures and policies, review boards, oversight committees, and human rights committees. Advocacy organizations exist to monitor the rights of children and adults with disabilities.
A recent article appeared in the journal, Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, (148 (12), 1282-1287) that systematically addresses allegations of abuse made through facilitated communication. I annotated this article for 'What Frontline Didn't Tell You" (2ndEdition, 1994) and would like to share it with readers of our newsletter. I titled my annotation, "A Must Read ...... Evaluations of Children Who Have Disclosed Sexual Abuse Via Facilitated Communication by Ann S. Botash, M.D.;Diane Babuts; Nancy Mitchell, RN, CPNP; Maureen O'Hara, RN, CNS; Laura Lynch, MS; and JoAnn Manuel, MSW
Between January 1990 and March 1993 thirteen children who had disclosed sexual abuse via facilitated communication were referred to the Child Abuse Referral and Evaluation (CARE) program at the State University of New York Health Science Center. The CARE program conducts interdisciplinary team evaluations for suspected sexual abuse in children. The evaluation includes a psychological and social assessment, medical evaluation and examination, and physical evidence collection. This article reports on a retrospective study conducted on the records, team notes and other evidence (including disclosures by siblings, perpetrator confessions, the determination of Child Protective Services of the Department of Social Services and findings of the family or criminal court) of the thirteen children who had disclosed abuse using facilitated communication.
As reported in the article, Child Protective Services made the determination of "indicated" "when the allegation of sexual abuse was substantiated by other suspicious family or child characteristics.' Corroborating evidence of sexual abuse was described to include 'physical examination findings that are considered to be suspicious or clear evidence of abuse, the child's additional verbal or independent typing disclosure, and/or a confession by the perpetrator." Supportive evidence was defined as CPS determinations, court findings, and siblings' disclosures" (p. 1283).
During the period January 1, 1990 -March 10, 1993, 1096 children were evaluated by the CARE program for suspected sexual abuse. Thirteen (1.2%) of these children disclosed abuse using Facilitated Communication. Thirty one percent (4/13) of the children who disclosed sexual abuse via FC had corroborating evidence. An additional five had supportive evidence. Two children had physical examination findings considered suspicious for sexual abuse. Seven children had nonspecific physical examination findings (defined as "unusual rectal findings that may or may not be due to abuse or unusual bruises in non genital sites") (p. 1283).
There was enough evidence to legally prove the allegations of sexual abuse of three children, and one additional child's perpetrator confessed. Although there may not have been enough evidence for legal prosecution, another seven of the children's cases were determined to be indicative of abuse by CPS. The indication rate for abuse and neglect found in this study is consistent with the upstate New York indication rate of approximately 47% (p. 1287).
"These results demonstrate that allegations of abuse that are initiated owing to an FC disclosure should be taken seriously" (p. 1287) (emphasis added).
REFERENCES
Diamond, L.J., & Jaudes, P.K. (1983). Child abuse in a cerebral-palsied population. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 25, 169-174.
Elmer, E.,& Gregg, G.S, (1 967). Developmental characteristics of abused children. Pediatrics, 40(4, Part 1), 596-602.
Erikson, M.F, Egeland, B., & Pianta, R. (1989). Effects of maltreatment on the development of young children. In D. Crichetti & V. Carlson (Eds.), Child maltreatrnent Theory and research on causes and consequences of child abuse and neglect (pp. 647-684). Cambridge, England: Cambridge University Press.
Green, A.H., Voeller, K., Gaines, R.W., & Kubie, U. (1981). Neurological impairment- in maltreated children. Child Abuse & Neglect, 5(2),129-134,
Johnson, B., & Morse, H. (1968). Injured children and their parents. Children, 15, 147- 152.
Sobsey, D. (I 994). Violence and abuse in the lives of people with disabilities: The end of silent acceptance? Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes.
Souther, M. (1984). Developmentally disabled abused and neglected children: A high need population. In National Center on Child Abuse and Neglect (Ed.), Perspectives on child mal treatment in the mid '80s (DHHS Publication No. [OHDS]84- 30338). Washington, DC: U.S, Department of Health and Human Services.
The purpose of Facilitated Communication In Maine is to promote the appropriate use of facilitated communication through education, technical assistance, and support to people with disabilities, parents, educators, speech and language pathologists support providers, and other interested individuals. The project provides up-to-date information on current best practices, introductory and advanced workshops on the technique, resources regarding theoretical and practical components of facilitated communication and ongoing support to a network of resource persons who provide local education and support to other facilitators.
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