I’ve noticed a rather common type of scam done by therapists and caregivers that, as someone with a (comparably minor) disability, is incredibly infuriating. This is NOT accusing such people overall of being scammers-in fact, most therapists are rightfully the loudest voices against such terrible people.

I call this the Anne Sullivan Scam, or Sullivan Scam after Helen Keller’s caregiver. There’s been a lot of “Helen Keller fraud” videos going around the internet, but Sullivan is the real target and the titles are misworded. The disabled person is not the fraudster here-it’s not like they’re faking or exaggerating their own massively serious condition. The person “speaking for them” is. In the namesake, there’s massive amounts of evidence that Sullivan was “ghostwriting” on Keller’s behalf.

Yet the largest Sullivan Scam comes in facilitated communication. Every single legitimate therapist I’ve known has continually denounced it. Even if sincerely well-intended, it’s ineffective and contaminated by the “Ouija Board Effect” where the facilitator is unconsciously steering things. If it isn’t and the facilitator is knowingly steering things, it’s even more disturbing.

Most Sullivan Scams have the disabled person’s “speech” suddenly becoming beautiful, articulate, and mysteriously like that of someone with an advanced degree. Which is kind of telling, isn’t it?