Final answer:
Facilitated Communication was rebranded as Supported Typing or Rapid Prompting Method. However, these methods are still controversial due to concerns about their efficacy, and the role of the facilitator in influencing the communication output.
Step-by-step explanation:
Facilitated Communication (FC), which was once a popular technique that purported to assist individuals with severe communication impairments, was rebranded as Supported Typing or Rapid Prompting Method(RPM). Despite the rebranding, both the scientific community and disability advocates have raised significant concerns about the efficacy and legitimacy of these methods.
FC involves a facilitator who supports the hand or arm of a nonverbal person (often with autism or similar conditions) as they attempt to type on a keyboard. Critics argue that facilitated communication is prone to influence from the facilitator, often without their conscious awareness, calling into question the authenticity of the communication.
These methods, although rebranded, continue to be met with skepticism, and multiple organizations, including the American Psychological Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have published position statements cautioning against their use.