Intensive Interaction is a practical approach to teaching early communication skills to children and adults who have severe and profound Learning Disabilities and/or Autism. These children or adults are generally at the earliest stages of their communication development and need to learn the fundamental skills that precede using spoken language.
These early communication skills include sharing your attention with another person or object, understanding and using eye contact, facial expressions and gestures, taking turns and developing more meaningful vocalisations.
The person using Intensive Interaction will follow the child’s lead and allow their actions and behaviours to guide the session. It is an approach that can be used at any time and in any place if the child is feeling playful or sociable. Alternatively, it can be scheduled into the day at a specific time when the adult can give their full attention to the task in hand and there are fewer distractions for the child.
The Speech and language Therapist supporting your child will be able to advice whether Intensive Interaction is a suitable approach to use, and can help the key adults in the child’s environment to get started.