Definitions:

• Apraxia is the inability to perform coordinated movementsdespite the absence of motor or sensory impairment. This is frequently aneffect seen in people with autism.

• Autism refers toa range of psycho-neurological disorders characterized by abnormal introversionand egocentricity. Individuals who are autistic may not communicate because theyare low-functioning or because of apraxia.

• Communicators are those who have the capacity or competence tocommunicate but their ability is impaired. Examples of this group may includethose with apraxia, autism, or echolalia.

• Echolalia is the persistent repetition of a word or phrase, oftencharacteristic of autism. It prevents normal speech as the individual merelyrepeats the last heard word or phrase.

• The term empirical refers to scientific data that relies onobservation or experimentation.

• Facilitated communication is a method of providing support for individuals with impairments that preclude communication on their own. Supportis provided in the use of some type of keyboard and ranges from resting a handon the shoulder of the person to holding the elbow or hand.

• A facilitator is the person who provides support in facilitatedcommunication. Support may range from a finger on the shoulder to holding theindex finger over a keyboard.