The Canadian TV network CTV has reported in breathless fashion on an apparently miraculous discovery concerning Carly, a 13-year-old autistic girl in Toronto. It seems that although she is clearly autistic and unable to speak, it has been found that she can communicate in a literate, articulate, and insightful and intelligent manner through typing on a keyboard.
Comments on the CTV website concerning the report are extravagantly positive, and the story has been picked up by the American network ABC (which to Canadians, means that it really must be true). Nevertheless, I doubt anyone would be surprised to hear that I harbour deep suspicion regarding this report. The case resembles that of facilitated communication, but goes even beyond that. I'm sorry to say that the question of possible fraud must be raised. You heard it from me first. Her father, who seems to be the chief spokeperson for her, says, "Inside, she is a perfectly normal 13-year-old girl. She has crushes, she likes music, she wants to be treated like every other 13-year-old" And Carly allegedly says, through her typing: "It is hard to be autistic because no one understands me. People look at me and assume I am dumb because I can't talk, or I act differently than them... I think people get scared with things that look or seem different than them. It feels hard. It feels like being in a room with the stereo on full blast." At present, the only expert to have commented on the case is Dr. Wendy Roberts, described as a developmental paediatrican at the Hospital for Sick Children in Toronto. She endorses it, but only from a review of Carly's writings and watching a video of her performance. It may be churlish to say it, but we need much more than that, as the sorry case of facilitated communication shows. And until we get it, I'm not going to celebrate this heart-warming success story. See: http://tinyurl.com/35wrrt (and click on the video link on the right side) Earlier report with additional detail at: http://tinyurl.com/36jq5w Stephen ----------------------------------------------------------------- Stephen L. Black, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology, Emeritus Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] 2600 College St. Sherbrooke QC J1M 1Z7 Canada ----------------------------------------------------------------------- --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
