Finding You Finding Me: Using Intensive Interaction To Get In Touch With People Whose Severe Learning Disabilities Are Combined With Autistic Spectrum Disorder

by Phoebe Caldwell

Phoebe Caldwell's remarkable new book makes accessible for the first time the complex, intricate inner and sensory worlds of people whose learning disabilities are combined with autistic spectrum disorder and, often, difficult-to-manage behaviour. Based on many years of working with such people, many of whom have withdrawn into a world of their own, she explores the different sensory reality they experience, showing it to be infinitely more complex and varied than is widely understood. She introduces a practical approach known as Intensive Interaction, which uses the body language of such people - who have hitherto largely been regarded as unreachable - to get in touch with them, giving them a way of expressing themselves which shifts their attention from solitary self-stimulation to shared activity. The outcome is not only a marked improvement in behaviour and ability to communicate but, more important, many parents will say 'they are just much happier'. Covering not only the practical aspects of introducing this technique, but also the thinking behind it, this landmark book has much to say on behalf of a group that has in the past largely been denied a voice, and will open new avenues for both practice and research. It is invaluable for parents, carers, and all who work with this group.

174 pages, Paperback

First published September 30, 2005

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very interesting theory, would love to find a course on this and get properly trained.

[Rosemary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is excellent. There is intermittent use of the first person to describe what people with ASD are experiencing, which is powerful. I have read many books on autism, but had not heard Intensive Interaction described in detail before. Very readable, with many anecdotes and well-chosen quotes from the literature. I hope it is required reading for all support workers for people with ASD.