| Alternative medicine | |
|---|---|
| Claims | Non-verbal people may express written language if given prompts by a facilitator. |
| Related fields | Alternative medicine |
| Year proposed | Late 20th century |
| Original proponents | Soma Mukhopadhyay |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Alternative medicine |
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The rapid prompting method (RPM) is a pseudoscientific technique that attempts to aid people with autism or other disabilities to communicate through pointing, typing, or writing.[1][2] Also known as Spelling to Communicate,[3] it is closely related to the scientifically discredited[4][5][6] technique facilitated communication (FC).[1][7][8] Practitioners of RPM have failed to assess the issue of message agency using simple and direct scientific methodologies, saying that doing so would be stigmatizing and that allowing scientific criticisms of the technique robs people with autism of their right to communicate.[2][9] The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association has issued a statement opposing the practice of RPM.[10][11]
Soma Mukhopadhyay is credited with creating RPM, though others have developed similar techniques, known as informative pointing or alphabet therapy.[1] RPM users report unexpected literacy skills in their clients,[2] as well as a reduction in some of the behavioral issues associated with autism. As noted by Stuart Vyse, although RPM differs from facilitated communication in some ways, "it has the same potential for unconscious prompting because the letter board is always held in the air by the assistant. As long as the method of communication involves the active participation of another person, the potential for unconscious guidance remains."[9]
Critics warn that RPM's over-reliance on prompts (verbal and physical cuing by facilitators) may inhibit development of independent communication in its target population.[12] As of April 2017, only one scientific study attempting to support Mukhopadhyay's claims of efficacy has been conducted, though reviewers found the study had serious methodological flaws.[12][13] Vyse has noted that rather than proponents of RPM subjecting the methodology to properly controlled validation research, they have responded to criticism by going on the offensive, claiming that scientific criticisms of the technique rob people with autism of their right to communicate,[9] while the authors of a 2019 review concluded that "...until future trials have demonstrated safety and effectiveness, and perhaps more importantly, have first clarified the authorship question, we strongly discourage clinicians, educators, and parents of children with ASD from using RPM."[14][15]
- ^ a b c Todd, James (2013). "Rapid Prompting". Encyclopedia of Autism Spectrum Disorders. pp. 2497–2503. doi:10.1007/978-1-4419-1698-3_1896. ISBN 978-1-4419-1697-6.
- ^ a b c Cite error: The named reference
Tostanoski et al (August 2014)was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Clayton, Renee (24 January 2018). "A boy with autism learns life-changing communication skills". Stuff.NZ. Retrieved 4 January 2020.
- ^ Lilienfeld; et al. "Why debunked autism treatment fads persist". Science Daily. Emory University. Retrieved 10 November 2015.
- ^ Facilitated Communication: Sifting the Psychological Wheat from the Chaff. American Psychological Association. June 13, 2016.
- ^ Todd, James T. (13 July 2012). "The moral obligation to be empirical: Comments on Boynton's 'Facilitated Communication – what harm it can do: Confessions of a former facilitator'". Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention. 6 (1): 36–57. doi:10.1080/17489539.2012.704738. S2CID 143043194.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Chandler, Michael (March 2017)was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
Beach, Patrick (January 2008)was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Vyse, Stuart (7 August 2018). "Autism Wars: Science Strikes Back". Center for Inquiry. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ Association (ASHA), American Speech-Language-Hearing (2018). "Rapid Prompting Method". American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Retrieved 7 July 2019.
- ^ Beals, Katharine (2020). "Review of Communication Alternatives in Autism: Perspectives on Typing and Spelling Approaches for the Nonspeaking". Journal of Evidence-Based Social Work. 17 (3): 361–367. doi:10.1080/26408066.2020.1729284. S2CID 239764348.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
Lang, Russell (January 2014)was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Hemsley, Bronwyn (December 11, 2016). "Evidence does not support the use of Rapid Prompting Method (RPM) as an intervention for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and further primary research is not justified". Evidence-Based Communication Assessment and Intervention. 10 (3–4): 122–130. doi:10.1080/17489539.2016.1265639. hdl:1959.13/1327023. S2CID 151352921.
- ^ Schlosser, Ralf; Hemsley, Bronwyn; Shane, Howard; Todd, James; Lang, Russell; Lilienfeld, Scott; Trembath, David; Mostert, Mark; Fong, Seraphine; Odom, Samuel (2019). "Rapid prompting method and autism spectrum disorder: Systematic review exposes lack of evidence". Review Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. 6 (4): 403–412. doi:10.1007/s40489-019-00175-w.
- ^ Zeliadt, Nicholette (15 August 2019). "Analysis finds no evidence for popular autism communication method". Spectrum | Autism Research News. Retrieved 15 August 2019.