It is Intensive Interaction Week and to show what difference it can make, we are sharing a Q&A with from a member of our team at MacIntyre School.
Could you introduce yourself and your experience of Intensive Interaction?
"My name is Carmen. I use Intensive Interaction as a way to communicate with students and I am an advocate of the approach."
What does Intensive Interaction mean to you?
"From my experience, Intensive Interaction is about you tuning into the student and encouraging them to take control. You show the student respect and listen to them; they are the main characters in the play and you just follow their lead. This is a way of making a connection and a bond with the student using fun and relaxing interaction. Whilst sometimes it can be very slow, if you persevere the rewards are amazing."
Can you tell us a time Intensive Interaction had a positive effect on a student?
Previously, I worked with *Simon for a year. Simon had a learning disability and mobility problems, was partially blind and non-verbal. We used to meet everyday in the sensory room. To interact, I used to copy him; making sounds, rocking backwards and forwards and I used to put objects for him to explore under the UV light.
We continued to work this way and Simon started to recognise me, resulting in our sessions growing a little longer each day. One day in the summer term, we were outside and Simon came and sat on my lap…I was shocked. Simon's Mum told me this action was a way of Simon showing affection and acceptance. This was incredible for both Simon and me.”
*The student's name has been changed
