Intensive Interaction at Expanding Horizons

Our April 2021 edition of the blog is all about Intensive Interaction. The background, the benefits and the application of this approach at Expanding Horizons.

Intensive Interaction was developed throughout the 1980’s by a small team of people lead by Dr Dave Hewett. Intensive Interaction is an approach that was initially noticed to help those at early stages of development but has been adapted to be practiced with those with severe, profound or complex learning difficulties/disabilities and autism.

The inception of the idea of Intensive interaction was partly developed through the observation of mother’s communication with their babies. The parent was observed to intensively focus on the baby’s face, often mirroring the baby’s actions and expressions. This began the foundation of back-and-forth communication. Dr Dave Hewett took these fundamental communication building blocks and adapted and it to some of his clients.  Dr Hewett quickly discovered that client’s communication skills showed signs of improvement and this approach was valid.

To sharpen the interaction abilities, our service users are encouraged to enjoy interacting with other people at their service whether it be with other service users or with our staff, as well as in the community and with families. Focusing on the fundamentals of communication such as the use and understanding of eye contact, facial expressions, vocalizations leading to speech, the natural exchange of conversation in a back-and-forth fashion and beginning to understand the natural structure of communication. We practice communication routines such as these, regularly.

To summarise, Intensive Interaction teaches and develops communication, interaction and active participation. We are always conscious of the different levels of ability amongst our service users so we focus on making the activities relaxed and pleasurable and at a level the person is comfortable with whilst nurturing them to improve.