Facilitated communication

The 2021 S3 guideline stated: facilitated communication should not be used to promote language development or communication, as there is no evidence for it. ^{[1, Rec. 35]} For the goal “social interaction” it also ranked it among the methods that were not (sufficiently) effective in randomised studies. ^{[1, Rec. 12]}

It is not to be confused with augmentative and alternative communication (for example picture cards or devices with speech output), which the guideline recommended under certain conditions. ^{[1, Rec. 31, 32]}

How the method works in detail is not described in the sources we read; this entry therefore only explains how it is classified. The guideline expired on 23.03.2026. ^[2] More: Recognising controversial and dubious offers.

Sources and literature

1. DGKJP/DGPPN et al.: Autismus-Spektrum-Störungen im Kindes-, Jugend- und Erwachsenenalter, Teil 2: Therapie. Interdisziplinäre S3-Leitlinie, AWMF-Reg.-Nr. 028-047, Langversion, Stand Text 02.05.2021. https://register.awmf.org/assets/guidelines/028-047l_S3_Autismus-Spektrum-Stoerungen-Kindes-Jugend-Erwachsenenalter-Therapie_2021-04_1.pdf
2. DGKJP: Aktuelle Leitlinien (Übersicht mit AWMF-Registernummer und Gültigkeitsdatum). https://www.dgkjp.de/wissen/aktuelle-leitlinien/