Joshua’s planet
Rosemary Crossley pioneered Facilitated Communication Training. Here you can see Rosemary facilitating with Josh:
This article I have written on Facilitated Communication was published in the journal
"Allergy Induced Autism" and in the magazine "In Touch" -
Josh was assessed by Marilyn Chadwick of the Facilitated Communication Institute of Syracuse University, New York. She continues to help and advise via Skype consultations which help us adopt a holistic approach to Josh's communication strategies.
The most important thing is that I am able to communicate with the world and with my friends. I am really grateful for giving me the chance, I want and feel, all autistic people deserve.
I would like to talk about Facilitated Communication. It is a brilliant form of communication, because it gives people who do not talk the ability to do so. I began using Facilitated communication five years ago. My personal assistants support my arm but it is only me that does the actual typing. I have used this form of communication to publish articles in newspapers and making my DVDs.
I have a number of friends who use Facilitated Communication.
Here is a video of Josh facilitating with a close friend:
Joshua's Communication Ladder
This list represents Josh's particular path to speech (many other communication options are available):
Talk Tools Therapy
Using different whistles, straws, blow tubes and biting blocks has helped Joshua to overcome some of his oral dyspraxic issues.
Here is their website.
Pointing
Pointing is a simple way to communicate. Even a "Yes" or "No" can make a huge difference to the quality of a person's life.
Communication Boards
Once pointing is established, the world of communication boards and books is available to you. Joshua and his PA's have modified one communication board for use in Hebrew and another in Russian, both of which are available for sale by emailing us via the contact form.
iPad
Josh uses his iPad as a communication aid (using an application called “speak it”), as an educational resource, for university work and entertainment.
Canon Communicator
This device enables your message to be recorded on a tape feed out.
Alpha Smart
This is a portable, battery powered, word processing keyboard.
Big Keys LX
Has 60 large, chunky keys. It is available in a wide range of colours and layouts, with QWERTY or ABC layouts too. The keys help the user to recognise when they have been pressed with a nice distinct click and will not keep repeating a letter if held down. Key guards and a glove are also available.
LightWriter
The LightWriter speaks the typed words. There is a choice of voice, be it male or female, together with different intonations plus the option of printing and /or storing the text. Click here for the link to the Toby Churchill website.
Go Talk One
Spoken words or phrases can be recorded by Josh and played back at the press of a button.
Speech
No words can express the liberation spontaneous verbal language provides.