I first heard about Intensive interaction when I was working with a speech therapist at a special support unit, attached to a main stream school.
At the time I was working as a one to one TA with a child who had a diagnosis of autism and was non-verbal.
The speech therapist, advised us to use intensive interaction with this child and showed us how to do this. I started doing this during my time supporting this child and saw the benefits it had on him and me. I noticed our relationship growing and the connection between us got stronger.
What is intensive interaction?
Intensive interaction is an approach for teaching communication skills to Autistic children/Adults with severe learning difficulties who are in early stages of development.
Intensive Interaction is a practical approach to interacting with people who do not find it easy communicating or being social. The approach helps the person with learning difficulties and their communication partner to relate better to each other and enjoy each other’s company more.
It involves mirroring or copying a person’s actions, sounds and facial expressions. Intensive interaction allows for a two-way form of communication; the child can begin to look and start copying the adult. The shared attention between the two people is approached in a play-based way.
How can I do Intensive Interaction?
- Mirror their body posture.
- Mirror positive facial expressions such as smiling.
- Join in with any noises that they make.
- Seek out eye contact.
- Turn-taking – this can be with the noises that they make or non-verbal behaviours like hand squeezing or tapping rhythms.
- Give time for the child to process and take the lead.
It can be done anywhere and at any time, as long as the person is alert, relaxed and open to the interaction. For example it can be used within sensory room sessions, during personal care, while sat in the lounge in-front of the TV, while out shopping.
It promotes engagement, inclusion and active participation; it develops communication skills and confidence.
The evidence base shows increases in smiling, eye-contact, social initiation, socially significant physical contacts and vocalisations as well as reductions in challenging and self-injurious behaviour.
To find out more visit these weblinks or watch the video.
Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
