Beth Kimmel shed quite a few tears when dealing with her son’s autism diagnosis.
Today, however, those tears are joyous ones, as her son, Alex, is able to communicate with friends and family thanks, in part, to Facilitated Communication, or FC.
FC is one form of augmentative and alternative communication that, according to the Syracuse University website, has been an effective means of expression for some individuals with labels like autism.
The Kimmels traveled from their Orion Township home to Syracuse to learn more about the program.
‘The goal of facilitated communication is for individuals to achieve independent expression, often with a combination of typing and speech,? the website says.
With mom helping only slightly, Alex is able to type both simple and eloquent answers to questions – and give truthful answers that don’t always match his audible responses.
At the Lake Orion Women’s Club luncheon earlier this month, the pair presented their findings using FC, even showing slides from Alex’s classwork.
‘He uses words that I would never use in everyday context,? Beth said of her son’s large vocabulary.
Kimmel, a former teacher, has spent the past few years telling her story to various groups in the area.
‘There is no magic cut-off age or cap on improvements,? said Kimmel, who noted that early identification and intervention is still key.
Kimmel displayed a slide with a long list of items that she and Alex had tried: Speech therapy, Occupational therapy, Sensory integration, SCAMP, Hippotherapy, Art therapy, Music therapy, Head Start, GF/CF Diet, Heavy metal removal, Vitamin supplements, AIT, Verbal Behavior, Tutoring, PECS, Behavioral Optometry, Relationship Development Intervention, and, finally, Facilitated Communication.
She said their journey had been a long one, but the rewards have been worth every bit of effort.
‘We really want to get the message out there to set the bar high for any child,? Kimmel said. ‘Presume competency!?
Kimmel noted that Michigan is fourth in the country among all states in incidences of autism, but said there is no rhyme or reason why.
Kimmel said that the Oakland and Macomb chapters of the Autism Society are among the nation’s best.
She encouraged parents looking for help to start there. For more information about the program at Syracuse, visit http://suedweb.syr.edu/thefci/.