Speechless

For the verbally impaired - those people who are unable to use language to convey even the simplest idea - speech is a daunting and mysterious act beyond their frustrated grasp. But these people aren't necessarily strangers to language - they just haven't found a way to express themselves. In Speechless, Rosemary Crossley describes the groundbreaking work she has done with such individuals to give them the tools to communicate. Often labeled by experts as "beyond help, " these patients found a teacher and a listener in Crossley. Through the use of computer technology, Crossley developed a technique in which pictures, words, and letters displayed on a computer keyboard or screen could be manipulated and combined by the patient to express himself. This "facilitated communication" technique enabled Crossley to interpret the previously unutterable thoughts, emotions, and stories of her patients. Through her accounts of people with diagnoses as varied as autism, brain injury, and Down's syndrome, Crossley emerges as a fiercely determined and driven woman who cares deeply about the rights of people with disabilities. The stories of the remarkable people she helped will make readers rethink the very definitions of communication and mental retardation, as well as reminding us all how much we have to gain by listening to those who have been kept silent.