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The Daily OrangeCriticism for new dean of education unfounded
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Posted: 8/29/05, 11:06 PM EST Section: Opinion
Douglas Biklen is no stranger to criticism. He has long been an advocate of a controversial method of teaching people with communication disorders. Now, that criticism has been unfairly extended to Syracuse University, merely for promoting Biklen, one of its most established professors.
Facilitated communication is a method of teaching people with communication disorders in which a partner assists the person with the disability to point at pictures or letters. The partner, or facilitator, essentially stabilizes the arm of the person with the disorder. Some psychologists, psychiatrists and physicians suggest the success researchers have found in helping these people communicate is because the facilitators cheated or unconsciously guided the pointing. These same critics have censured SU for promoting Biklen as dean of the School of Education.
Despite any criticisms of Biklen's research and facilitated communication as a method of teaching those with disabilities, there is no reason to criticize SU's decision to appoint Biklen as dean. Through his contributions to both the university and the lives of children with disabilities, Biklen has proven himself worthy of the appointment in his 32-year tenure.
Biklen established SU's Facilitated Communication Institute in 1992. While facilitated communication has been an obvious focus of his research, this does not make it the only method of education that Biklen advocates. SU will still be teaching education students all the other techniques of teaching children with disabilities, none of which are foolproof if they fall into the wrong hands.
The whole point of research is to find out what works and what doesn't. Although facilitated communication raises some eyebrows, there is no reason to stifle research if there is any chance at all it might help people with disabilities learn how to communicate. Biklen's critics warn SU to consider how the university's new dean reflects on its own scientific principles. But the critics have it all wrong. The principles Biklen represents are a dedication to help others and explore all possible avenues in doing so.
Facilitated communication is a method of teaching people with communication disorders in which a partner assists the person with the disability to point at pictures or letters. The partner, or facilitator, essentially stabilizes the arm of the person with the disorder. Some psychologists, psychiatrists and physicians suggest the success researchers have found in helping these people communicate is because the facilitators cheated or unconsciously guided the pointing. These same critics have censured SU for promoting Biklen as dean of the School of Education.
Despite any criticisms of Biklen's research and facilitated communication as a method of teaching those with disabilities, there is no reason to criticize SU's decision to appoint Biklen as dean. Through his contributions to both the university and the lives of children with disabilities, Biklen has proven himself worthy of the appointment in his 32-year tenure.
Biklen established SU's Facilitated Communication Institute in 1992. While facilitated communication has been an obvious focus of his research, this does not make it the only method of education that Biklen advocates. SU will still be teaching education students all the other techniques of teaching children with disabilities, none of which are foolproof if they fall into the wrong hands.
The whole point of research is to find out what works and what doesn't. Although facilitated communication raises some eyebrows, there is no reason to stifle research if there is any chance at all it might help people with disabilities learn how to communicate. Biklen's critics warn SU to consider how the university's new dean reflects on its own scientific principles. But the critics have it all wrong. The principles Biklen represents are a dedication to help others and explore all possible avenues in doing so.
