The Telepathy Tapes have sparked significant interest on the greater podcast stage recently. As a proud advocate for minimally verbal autistic people, I am deeply concerned about how these tapes may threaten the legitimacy for the critical communication methods used by autistic individuals.
Understanding the Telepathy Tapes Phenomenon
The Telepathy Tapes claim to have proof of communication through thoughts alone (telepathy). While I am quite supportive of ensuring all individuals who are minimally verbal are recognized as having significantly more to say that they can access through traditional means, I have grave concerns about the research that is being claimed as valid. While the intention seems noble, the consequences for minimally verbal autistic individuals are quite serious.
Spelling and keyboarding are often much more than just communication methods; they are lifelines for many. The incredibly hard work put in by spellers and communication coaches must be recognized, appreciated, and valued in its own right. The ability to finally communicate after often years of silence cannot be sensationalized to being "telepathic." There is already enough controversy around keyboarding and spelling to communicate. We do NOT need additional hype and/or questionable research degrading their incredibly hard work. Promoting click-bait like the Telepathy Tapes can unintentionally weaken the validity of these established communication techniques.
The Risks of Overlooking Spelling as a Valid Communication Method
Spelling has been crucial for countless minimally verbal autistic individuals to express their thoughts and emotions. I have personally witnessed countless autistic individuals finally having a voice to share preferences, interests, and incredible advocacy for themselves and others. This alternative mode of communication becomes vital when more traditional methods are not available or have been deemed unsuitable.
In promoting the Telepathy Tapes, we run the risk of diluting the substantial advancements that practitioners and families have made in emphasizing spelling. When questionable research is promoted and gains popularity, confusion can ensue about what effective communication looks like for those on the autism spectrum.
Questionable Research can Lead to Disastrous Results
Misinformation is a significant threat posed by the Telepathy Tapes. If people start believing that thought-based communication is valid without real evidence, they may undervalue structured methods such as spelling. This shift in perception could lead to a reduction in perceived validity for spelling and keyboarding skills—skills that have shown effective in enhancing communication among many minimally verbal autistic individuals.
Dr. Diane Hennacy-Powell has believed in and researched paranormal phenomenon for many years and published a book called The ESP Enigma in 2009, which she is now again promoting and is reportedly (according to her website) sold out in hardback. While I certainly understand the intrigue with our brain's ability to do so much more than we can currently understand or access reliably, I find myself in strong opposition to using an already vulnerable population AND critical yet controversial mode of communication as fodder for her research.
While I love getting valuable information from podcasts, I urge you to think about this podcast and it's claims carefully, mindfully, and to not spread the claims that could damage an already fragile yet legitimate mode of communication. This research has not been peer-reviewed. Accepting it as truth can damage this vulnerable population that relies on nonverbal modes of communication. We must listen to podcasts, especially this one, with a heavy dose of skepticism.
The Impact on Autistic Individuals
When questionable research like Dr. Diane Hennacy-Powell's in the Telepathy Tapes attract mainstream interest, they can perpetuate misconceptions about what minimally verbal individuals are capable of contributing.
For autistic individuals who have struggled to find their voice, the promotion of questionable methods can lead to increased skepticism about a communication method that could change their lives. It is vital to advocate for continued and legitimate research in Spelling and/or Keyboarding to communicate rather than diluting that research by adding complications. Advocating for autistic individuals having a voice like every other human is essential - not running the risk of further ostracizing those who do not have verbal communication available to them.
The Silence of Experts: Be Careful
Our community often turns to experts in autism education and therapy for support, but their sharing and sensationalizing the Telepathy Tapes is concerning. It is critical for experts to highlight the risks. Their critical analysis can instead guide conversations back to what genuinely benefits autistic individuals.
We need passionate supporters to articulate the importance of maintaining effective communication methods like spelling and keyboarding, while also cautioning against the potential dangers of unverified research.
Call to Action: Advocating for Effective Communication
As advocates for autism, we must unite against the flashy allure of sensationalism. We need to promote effective methods like spelling and keyboarding that have empowered many within our community by celebrating its' integrity. Together, we can foster open conversations about communication strategies and create environments where valid research is celebrated.
The Telepathy Tapes may appear fascinating, but our focus should remain on empowering individuals to have the nonverbal communication methods so vital to their self-esteem, personal autonomy, and inclusion in our society. Let us move forward with purpose, affirming the importance of authentic communication for all minimally verbal autistic individuals without clouding it with extremely controversial and unverified research.
Final Thoughts
While exploring new frontiers of our brains can be appealing, we must take a skeptical approach when they threaten techniques that have empowered so many minimally verbal autistic individuals. The Telepathy Tapes have sparked a necessary conversation within our community— they have raised awareness of autistic individuals' use of spelling and/or keyboarding to communicate.
Now let's guide people to understand the legitimate and critical nature of non-speakers being taken seriously for what they say through alternative modes of communication and without sensationalizing it into it being telepathy.
Should you have questions or wish to speak further about The Telepathy Tapes or other topics, please contact me at: Barbara@SynergyAutismCenter.Com
Sincerely and Respectfully,
Barb Avila
I will add here any additional information and articles on the subject for further reading:
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