Episode 33 / Facilitated Communication

In Part 2 of their conversation, Senior Consultant Kate Homan, MS and Duke University Medical Center Training Coordinator, Scott Snider, LCSW dive deeper into current trends and emerging developments in forensic interviewing. They also take a trip down memory lane, reflecting on some of their earliest forensic interviews, the lessons they learned along the way, and how their approaches have evolved with experience and advancements in the field.From lessons learned to new insights, this episode highlights the importance of continued learning, reflection, and growth in forensic interviewing.Scott Snider, LCSW, has dedicated his career to working with children affected by trauma and alleged abuse. During his 25 years with the Duke Child Abuse and Neglect Medical Evaluation Clinic, Scott has conducted more than 6,000 interviews as part of medical evaluations for suspected child abuse, developing extensive experience in developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed child interviewing.Scott is a co-author of the RADAR and RADAR Jr. interview models, as well as the FirstCall first-responder interview model, which is used throughout North Carolina. He provides specialized training to DSS professionals, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and mental health practitioners, with an emphasis on evidence-informed practices in child interviewing. Scott is also a frequent presenter at state and national conferences, where he draws on his clinical expertise to promote and advance best practices in the interviewing of children and adolescents.

In this episode, Senior Consultant Kate Homan, MS is joined by the Duke University Medical Center Training Coordinator, Scott Snider, LCSW for Part 1 of a conversation exploring the evolving field of forensic interviewing.Kate and Scott discuss current trends in forensic interviewing, emerging research and interesting new findings that are helping professionals better understand and strengthen the interview process. Together, they explore how the field continues to evolve, what practitioners are learning from new research and real-world experience, and how these developments can inform the way forensic interviews are conducted.Scott Snider, LCSW, has dedicated his career to working with children affected by trauma and alleged abuse. During his 25 years with the Duke Child Abuse and Neglect Medical Evaluation Clinic, Scott has conducted more than 6,000 interviews as part of medical evaluations for suspected child abuse, developing extensive experience in developmentally appropriate and trauma-informed child interviewing.Scott is a co-author of the RADAR and RADAR Jr. interview models, as well as the FirstCall first-responder interview model, which is used throughout North Carolina. He provides specialized training to DSS professionals, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, and mental health practitioners, with an emphasis on evidence-informed practices in child interviewing. Scott is also a frequent presenter at state and national conferences, where he draws on his clinical expertise to promote and advance best practices in the interviewing of children and adolescents.

In this episode, Staci and Scott are joined by Paul Greenwood, a nationally recognized expert in crimes against older adults, to discuss his decades of experience as a prosecutor with the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.Paul shares insights from his career prosecuting cases involving elder abuse and financial exploitation, as well as the lessons he learned working directly with victims, families, investigators, and multidisciplinary teams. In 2018, he shifted his focus from prosecution to prevention, using his experience to help professionals recognize warning signs and intervene before older adults experience further harm.Paul also discusses his work with Modell Consulting Group to develop specialized training focused on investigating financial crimes against older adults, equipping professionals with practical tools to identify, investigate, and respond to financial exploitation.Retired Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood was a solicitor in England for 13 years. After relocating to San Diego in 1991 he passed the California Bar and joined the DA's office in 1993. For twenty two years Paul headed up the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit at the San Diego DA’s Office. In 1999 California Lawyer magazine named Paul as one of their top 20 lawyers of the year in recognition of his pioneering efforts to pursue justice on behalf of senior citizens.He has prosecuted over 750 felony cases of both physical, sexual, emotional and financial elder abuse. He has also prosecuted ten murder cases, including one death penalty case.In March 2018 Paul retired from the San Diego DA’s office to concentrate on sharing lessons learned from his elder abuse prosecutions with a wider audience. In October 2018 he was given a lifetime achievement award by his former office.Paul now spends much of his post retirement time speaking on behalf of AARP nationally, consulting on elder abuse cases, testifying as an expert witness and providing trainings to law enforcement and Adult Protective Services agencies across the country and internationally. He is also involved as the criminal justice board member of National Adult Protective Services Association.

How does trauma affect memory—and why does it matter when working with victims?In this episode of Forgotten Victims, Staci is joined by MCG Senior Consultant Dermot Whelan, Police Sgt., Retired., for an insightful conversation about the science of memory, how our memories are formed, and what happens to memory when someone experiences a traumatic event.Understanding the impact of trauma on memory can help professionals move beyond misconceptions, ask better questions, and approach victims with greater empathy and effectiveness.

What’s the difference between a forensic interview and a forensic evaluation—and why does it matter?In this episode of Forgotten Victims, Geoff Sidoli breaks down the distinct purposes of forensic interviews and forensic evaluations, explaining when each is appropriate and how they work together within investigations involving children. Geoff discusses the goals, methodologies, and outcomes of both processes, while highlighting the importance of maintaining clear boundaries between them.He also shares practical guidance on communicating these concepts to children in a way that is developmentally appropriate, transparent, and supportive. Whether you're a forensic interviewer, investigator, child protection professional, or multidisciplinary team member, this episode provides valuable insight into ensuring children understand the process and professionals maintain role clarity throughout an investigation.Geoff Sidoli, LCSW, is the current National Training Fellow and past Coordinator for the National Children’s Alliance Institute for Better Mental Health Outcomes. He assists CACs around the country developing, implementing, and sustaining mental health services including ones for children and youth exhibiting problematic sexual behavior (PSB). Geoff co-developed and trains an enhancement of TF-CBT for PSB with adolescents and with young children. He is a clinical member of the Association for the Prevention and Treatment Sexual Abuse (ATSA) as well as a Fellow. He sits on ATSA’s child and adolescent committee as well as the ethic’s committee. Geoff is also NCA’s Training and Technical Advisor for PSB and facilitates NCA’s youth with problematic sexual behaviors national work group. He continues to treat youth and families for trauma and PSB at the CAC he founded in Asheville, NC.

In this episode, Scott and Staci are joined by Sergeant Timothy F. X. Grant about the importance of working on a multi disciplinary team and collaborating with adult protective services. From his perspective in the field, Sergeant Grant discusses how multidisciplinary teamwork strengthens investigations, improves outcomes for vulnerable adults, and bridges the gap between protection and prosecution.Sergeant Timothy F. X. Grant is a retired 36-year veteran of law enforcement, currently working as a post retiree with the Disabled Persons Protection Commission. For the past 23 years Sergeant Grant had been assigned to the State Police Detective Unit (SPDU) attached to the Disabled Persons Protection Commission (DPPC) and was the Unit Supervisor for 11 years. Sergeant Grant oversaw the Troopers assigned to the SPDU/DPPC and reviewed DPPC’s intake reports for criminal activity and investigated crimes committed against persons with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth. He worked collaboratively with district attorneys, municipal police, adult protective service investigators, medical personnel, agencies providing services to persons with disabilities and others to ensure persons with disabilities received the same protections and rights as the public at large. Sergeant Grant has participated in the development of national and state training videos and training curricula. He has presented locally, statewide and nationally on issues relating to crimes committed against persons with disabilities and the role of law enforcement.

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW, is joined by Teresa Teeple, the Tennessee State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. Teresa brings her deep expertise and experience to address common misunderstandings about what an Ombudsman does. From advocating for residents’ rights to navigating complex long-term care systems, Teresa sheds light on this vital role. This episode highlights the importance of advocacy in long-term care settings and the essential role Ombudsman play in being a voice for residents.Teresa Teeple has been the Tennessee State Long-Term Care Ombudsman since 2022. In this role, she leads a team of 19 district ombudsman staff who address issues and complaints for residents of roughly 700 long-term care facilities, accounting for around 60,000 beds in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, and group homes. She also works to ensure long-term care residents' rights are protected by influencing policies and procedures that may improve their quality of life and care at the local, state, and national levels. Teresa’s entire career has been in aging services, beginning as a local ombudsman and, subsequently, State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in Arizona. She then led a team of care managers who worked with older adults and people with disabilities in Rhode Island. Prior to assuming her current role in Tennessee, Teresa oversaw the Ohio Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman’s advocacy efforts for people dually eligible for Medicare and Medicaid. She holds Master of Social Work and Master of Public Administration degrees from The State University of New York Binghamton and a bachelor's degree in sociology from the University of North Carolina Asheville.

What is Facilitated Communication? In this episode, Scott and Staci unpack how this method—often described as assisted typing for individuals with disabilities—has sparked debate in clinical and legal settings.CEO, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Senior Director, Staci Whitney, LMSW, explore how this method is intended to support communication, but the lack of reliable data prove its ineffectiveness. They explore why it should not be used during forensic interviews and what professionals need to know.

In this episode, Scott and Staci dive into the misconceptions surrounding autism spectrum disorder (ASD)—particularly as they relate to emotional expression and perception during forensic interviews and investigations.CEO, Scott Modell, Ph.D. and Senior Director, Staci Whitney, LMSW explore how traditional assumptions can lead investigators to misread emotional cues or dismiss credible disclosures from individuals with autism. They emphasize the importance of understanding neurodiversity, adapting interview techniques, and avoiding judgment based on affect alone.

In this episode, Staci Whitney, LMSW is joined by disability advocate, Megan Young. Megan shares her lived experiences as a woman with a disability and the incredible advocacy work she is doing at Project Everlast in Nebraska. Project Everlast is a statewide, youth-led initiative committed to providing resources, connections and support to young adults without family support. Their goal is to empower young adults to build successful lives as independent adults.Megan Young is a 25-year-old disability advocate from Nebraska. She found her passion in sharing her voice and her lived experiences with a disability in different areas of Nebraska to help educate and improve the gaps in all parts of the system.