This review of the literature on facilitated communication (FC) with individuals having severe communication disorders focuses on three major issues: (1) the history and development of FC, with varying opinions on the purpose of FC; (2) criteria for selecting individuals as having potential to benefit from FC; and (3) findings and issues surrounding message authorship. First, the conceptual framework and purpose of facilitated communication is reviewed. A lack of agreement on characteristics of appropriate candidates for FC is noted. Questions addressed concerning message authorship include whether to test for authorship validity or not, how to test for authorship, and how to determine who authors a given message. Also reviewed is literature on collateral effects of FC and societal impacts, including ethical issues, benefits, and harmful effects. (Contains 78 references.) (DB)