Sharisa Kochmeister addresses Portland Seminar
On October 10, 1996 facilitated communication user Sharisa Kochmeister presented with her father Jan at the Holiday Inn by the Bay in Portland. They began by showing a videotape from a network television program that featured Sharisa. Jan then read a speech Sharisa had prepared in advanced. They followed this with a lengthy question and answer period in which Sharisa typed her answers with no physical support. Her father facilitated by sitting next to her with his arms at his side.
Sharisa is eighteen years old and lives in New City, New York.
Sharisa cannot speak and was once described as having an IQ of 10.
She is fully included in regular 12th grade classes. Last year she
had an A+ average. She appears headed for similar success this year
in her classes which include Shakespeare, Short Fiction, Literature
Review, and Participation in Government from a Legal Perspective, and
two writing courses. She works for a school literary magazine, school
newspaper, and writes editorials for a radio station. Last year
Sharisa wrote a song that is now being performed by the Hudson
Philharmonic.
About three years ago Sharisa began typing with her father simply
holding his hand above her arm. About two years ago she instructed
him to put his hands at his side. He did so and she continued to
communicate. Now she can type with any one of seven familiar
facilitators sitting close by.
Sharisa has been on several local and national television programs including CBS' "How'd They Do That?" and PBS' "Frontline." She has been a featured presenter at a number of conferences where she has spoken about self-determination, the validity of facilitated communication, and achieving physical independence in her typing. Sharisa is exploring a number of career alternatives but is leaning toward becoming an attorney - as long as she can keep writing. At a national poetry contest this year she was encouraged by a number of professional poets to begin publishing her poetry. She is also making a lot of new friends.
Sharisa typed about her new ability to interact with those who can speak when she said: "I am standing on the precipice between your world and ours trying to explain them to you and us to them so as to reduce the fear and misunderstanding on both sides."
Following is a transcript of the questions asked by the audience and Sharisa's responses. Sharisa's answers are in bold italics.
Is it difficult to keep up with your work in school:
Yes. (Father explains that she has the option of telling them she wants less work. She insists on doing what everyone else in her class is doing.)
Are your glasses Irlen filters?
No prisms and tint.
Did that involve visual training:
Yes.
Did that have anything to do with your ability to type
independently?
A lot.
How many hours a day do you spend typing to do your homework?
5 or more.
At another conference someone asked you about your recommendations about inclusion and how you would support kids using facilitated communication and other augmentative communication in the classroom. Your response was incredibly powerful and I was wondering whether you would be willing to share that with us today?
Be patient and understanding and you will be pleasantly surprised and rewarded.
What do you like to do with your friends?
Tease them.
How do you type and talk and read at the same time?
I am a genius.
Do your teachers look at you funny because you don't talk?
Not any more.
Isn't it very lonely to type independently? (question from an FC
user)
No I am less alone now. (Father explains that FC is
hard work and people tired out quickly.)
How many people facilitate with you?
7.
Do you ever type without someone sitting next to you?
No, I like company.
I'm a speech therapist and people that I have worked with have raised the question about making friends. Do you have any suggestions?
No. (Father explains that it continues to be a problem.)
Do you think there are people for whom FC is an appropriate
technique but because of their motor planning problems might not be
able to type independently.
Yes.
What percentage of people do you think FC will work with?
10-25%
We talked earlier about the relationship about perception and motor planning during the workshop this morning. Do you think facilitation helps you to perceive better, to act more easily, or both?
It adds comfort and confidence.
What kind of advice would you give to someone who is just starting FC and they might be nervous about actually really being able to communicate effectively and might be fighting it a little bit?
Baby steps to begin and gradual growth
You talked about relying on characters you made up. Is it okay to still rely on them to any degree?
It is for me. You decide for you.
Have you had auditory integration therapy?
Yes.
I'm wondering ...your humming is very rhythmic and very very beautiful. Do you use that to help your when you're talking and answering questions?
Yes - focus and relaxation technique. (Immediately after the question was asked Sharisa began humming much louder and with a much more elaborate melodies. She continued to hum as she typed the answer.)
Getting back to the validation controversy. Do you see it from where you sit to be calming down?
It is not being discussed enough.
You are right. It is not being discussed enough in either the professional literature or in the popular media but a number of people as you well know for whom facilitated communication might be an appropriate form of communication still don't have access to it because of the swirl of controversy has reared its ugly head. Any ideas on what we can all be doing?
Shouting for attention.
Are you going to do that?
Perhaps . (Father explains that she has indicated that she wants others who are typing independently to do this.)
Looking back, you weren't introduced to facilitated communication until you were 13, and given your comments about learning to read from Sesame Street, how early would you recommend starting young kids who might be candidates for facilitated communication?
Today.
I think Debbie wants to know what age.
Now.
Does it depend on age at all?
No.
I know you are on our mailing list and get our newsletter. Knowing what we are doing in Maine, what are we doing well, what should we continue doing, what else should we be doing to help give people a voice?
Squeaking.
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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