Wretches & Jabberers
Wretches & Jabberers is a 2010 American documentary film directed by Gerardine Wurzburg and produced by Wurzburg and Douglas Biklen that promotes the scientifically discredited facilitated communication technique. The film is about two autistic men, Larry Bissonnette and Tracy Thresher, who travel the world helping other autistic people break out of their isolation. It opened in theaters in New York and California on July 30, 2010.[1][2]
| Wretches & Jabberers | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Gerardine Wurzburg |
| Produced by | Douglas Biklen Gerardine Wurzburg |
| Cinematography | Gary Griffin |
| Edited by | Barbara Ballow |
| Music by | J. Ralph |
Production companies | State of the Art, Inc. |
Release date |
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Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| This article is part of a series on |
| Alternative medicine |
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The film has been criticized by multiple sources for promoting facilitated communication.[3][4] Skeptical Inquirer claims "it is clear that their facilitators are prompting them by touching an arm or shoulder as they type."[5] As a review of the film in USA Today reports,[6] psychology professor James Todd has agreed with skepticism towards the film by referring to facilitated communication as "the single most discredited intervention in the history of developmental disabilities", while Howard Shane, the Director of Communication Enhancement at Boston Children's Hospital, noted that many people with autism are able to type independently; accordingly "it is curious that those [in this film] being facilitated can only create these insightful comments" when aided by an assistant.[6] Former facilitator Janyce Boynton, a critic of facilitated communication, states that Wretches & Jabberers has become a promotional tool for facilitated communication.[7]
See also
Films
Books
References
- Jennie, Yabroff (16 January 2011). "Autism Finds Its Voice". Newsweek. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- Genzlinger, Neil (31 March 2011). "'Wretches & Jabberers,' a Documentary on Autism – Review". The New York Times. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- Wombles, Kim (27 August 2014). "Facilitated Communication: Bandwagon Endorsements; It All Feels Good". Science 2.0. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- Lutz, Amy S. F. (16 January 2013). "Controversy and Curious Case Histories in the Autism Community". Slate Magazine. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- Kreidler, Marc (11 May 2015). "Facilitated Communication: The Fad that Will Not Die". Skeptical Inquirer. Retrieved 11 July 2019.
- Healy, Michelle (2011). "New film gives voice to a nearly silent minority". USA Today. April (6). ProQuest 860752130.
- Gerbic, Susan. "2020-09-09 Susan Gerbic and Janyce Boynton". YouTube. Retrieved 18 November 2022.