Intensive Interaction as a proactive strategy to reduce behaviours that may challenge

‘Can adults on the autism spectrum be affected positively by the use of intensive interaction in supported living services?’ – Yes, and here’s some evidence!

The use of Intensive Interaction within a Positive Behavioural Support framework

Following on from my previous Blog on the ‘Differentiation and Integration Phase’ of Intensive Interaction, I thought I would share a summary of a research paper to illustrate my contention i.e. that Intensive Interaction is now increasingly being used within or alongside other educational, health or care approaches. Read on for more …

New paper on using ‘Adaptive Interaction’ with people with dementia

My Blog this week is about a new paper on ‘Using Adaptive Interaction to Simplify Caregiver’s Communication with People with Dementia Who Cannot Speak’ (in Frontiers in Communication, Jan 2022). Read on for more …

Staff experience of the implementation of Intensive Interaction within their places of work with people with learning disabilities and/or autism

Follow the link above to an accessible summary of the paper: Berridge, S. & Hutchinson, N. (2021) ‘Staff experience of the implementation of Intensive Interaction within their places of work with people with learning disabilities and/or autism’, Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities – DOI: 10.1111/jar.12783

Intensive Interaction Training for Paid Carers: ‘Looking, Looking and Find Out When They Want to Relate to You’

Nagra, M., White, R., Appiah, A. & Rayner, K. (2016) Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, On-line (DOI: 10.1111/jar.12259) Introduction: the authors of this paper identifiedIntensive Interaction (II) as a communication approach that is useful when working with people with severe or profound intellectual disabilities who have difficulty with the use and understanding of pre-verbalContinue reading “Intensive Interaction Training for Paid Carers: ‘Looking, Looking and Find Out When They Want to Relate to You’”

Intensive Interaction: to build fulfilling relationships

Harris, C. & Wolverson, E. (2014) Journal of Dementia Care, 22 (6), 27-30. In this paper the authors share their experiences of using Intensive Interaction to support people living in the later stages of dementia. For EW [a clinical psychologist] Intensive Interaction is especially useful when working with people who present with challenging behaviours –Continue reading “Intensive Interaction: to build fulfilling relationships”

Can adults on the autism spectrum be affected positively by the use of intensive interaction in supported living services?

Fraser, C. (2011) Good Autism Practice, 12 (2), 37-42. The case study: Derek was a 67 year old man with a diagnosis of autism and epilepsy. He lived in a supported living home (for 9 years) and sometimes displayed challenging behaviours e.g. incontinence; shouting; repetitiveness; withdrawing to his room; switching lights on & off; pullingContinue reading “Can adults on the autism spectrum be affected positively by the use of intensive interaction in supported living services?”

How Rapidly Does Intensive Interaction Promote Social Engagement for Adults with Profound Learning Disabilities?

Zeedyk, S, Caldwell, P. & Davies, C. (2009) European Journal of Special Needs Education, 24 (2), 119-137. This study investigated levels of engagement in individuals with profound learning disabilities participating in their first Intensive Interaction session. The authors had 2 aims: to determine how quickly observable increases in engagement behaviours take place, and to lookContinue reading “How Rapidly Does Intensive Interaction Promote Social Engagement for Adults with Profound Learning Disabilities?”

An evaluation of Intensive Interaction in community living settings for adults with profound intellectual disabilities

Samuel, J., Nind, M., Volans, A. and Scriven, I. (2008) Journal of Intellectual Disabilities (2008), 12 (2), 111-126. This research took place in 4 residential service for adults with profound intellectual disabilities. The study looked at 2 hypotheses: 1. That support staff could learn the principles of Intensive Interaction. 2. That Intensive Interaction would haveContinue reading “An evaluation of Intensive Interaction in community living settings for adults with profound intellectual disabilities”

Intensive Interaction as a Novel Approach in Social Care: Care staff’s views on the practice change process

Firth, G., Elford, H., Leeming, C. & Crabbe, M. (2008) Journal of Applied Research in Intellectual Disabilities, 21, 58–69 This study reported on a 6-month Intensive Interaction intervention in 4 NHS staffed group homes in the north of England. 29 staff members were trained in Intensive Interaction and subsequently supported to implement the approach withContinue reading “Intensive Interaction as a Novel Approach in Social Care: Care staff’s views on the practice change process”