Intensive Interaction?

[shamu]

Our SLT has suggested we use Intensive Interaction with James to try and get some foundations of communication and socialisation in place. In theory it sounds quite good, you mimic/copy the child and try and engage with them to establish a social connection and then build on it, and it seems to be quite good for James, but I can't find much info out there about it. I wondered if anyone else had experience of this method and if so what info they found useful.

 

The copying is tiring at times (James spends 90% of his time running back and forth or jumping) and I'm guessing that when he pinches me or bites me or throws food on the floor I shouldn't copy him

 

Shamu

[Enid]

I read a book years ago called "to love is to be happy with" about an autisic boy whose parents did just that, he used to spin and twirl and flap his hands, they had dramatic results in a very short time, sorry I cant remember the author, it was later made into a film called "son rise" Enid

[Tally]

It does sound very much like "Son Rise" or "Floortime." If you Google those words, you might get some more information.

[oxgirl]

I did son rise with a child years ago and the idea was that you joined with the child in what they were chosing to do. The theory is that if they see that you are valuing the activity they are chosing then in time it could be possible to draw them out of the activity and join with you in your chosen activity as a kind of 'I've joined you in your world and now you join me in my world' kind of reciprocal arrangement. It's a gradual process of copying their movements and then adding movements of your own and trying to get them to copy yours and then once they're in the habit of noticing and copying you, you can use this cooperation to teach new skills and communication.

 

~ Mel ~

[purplehaze]

Hello I actually do this at work with children with varied SEN including ASD and it works fantastically. I have seen children who are non-verbal be very vocal, children who don't display many facial expressions smile and laugh. It can be very benefial and develops early social interaction and social communication skills. I also do it with lots of sensory activities making sure I buy 2 of each item, and copy what the children do.

 

One child loves to make me put my feet on the table or look under the table at him, it's great.

[dooday24]

i work with adults with severe learning disabilitys and have used intensive interaction many a time it is very good and have seen some drematic differences in people who donot use any vocabulary at all and i use the mimicking and copying and it is lovely to see a positive reaction and even laughter which we do not see very often with the people we support hope u find some more info which will help

 

love donnaxxxx

[smiley]

Also if you google 'special time - autism' you may find more info also.

 

Can be hugely beneficial - but not for all. I'm not sure i'm comfortable with the idea of 5 hours a day............ which i've heard done before, i would generally keep it very child led - if they are fed up, then stop. Smaller amounts seems better to me.

I've had several 'no thanks' thumps - but also some lovely moments of communication .

[LizK]

I've seen courses advertised for this in the West Midlands, may not be particularly geographically good for you. Worth checking the NAS website as think I've seen courses there too

 

Adam's preschool teacher sometimes did this approach with him when he wouldn't comply. Hardly intensive as only came for 1 hour/week but she did adopt some of the principles when the going got tough!

 

Lx

[shamu]

Thanks for all the replies <'> As usual, you've come up trumps! I will look into a course if they continue using it when he starts school - W Mids isn't that far for me. Lots of info through the various links you've directed me to.

 

It does seem to have an effect with James - he has become far more vocal over the last 6 weeks since I've been doing my own variation - today we spent at least 45 minutes under the duvet in my bed hugging and giggling and tickling each other

 

Shamu

[oxgirl]

today we spent at least 45 minutes under the duvet in my bed hugging and giggling and tickling each other

 

That's really lovely, valuable interraction. Time well spent.

 

~ Mel ~