This is Intensive Interaction Week, and we'll be sharing news items and social media updates.
Not sure what Intensive Interaction is?
It's an approach which aims to teach the fundamentals of communication to people who may have little or no verbal communication. It encourages actions such as turn taking, sharing personal space, using and understanding eye contact, facial expressions and physical contact, as well as helping develop social ability, cognitive abilities and emotional wellbeing.
Using Intensive Interaction makes people feel seen, acknowledged and understood: find out more.
She was sat in the corner...
To mark Intensive Interaction Week 2023, we're sharing this poem by Kate Boyer, Intensive Interaction Facilitator and Mentor at our school and children's homes.
She was sat in the corner of the hall and she could hear a ticking sound
It was all she could hear it hurt her ears so she laid down on the ground
She vocalised and banged on the floor trying to cover up the noise
The ticking seemed louder, she felt upset and began to cuddle her toys
He came in and sat in the other corner he was holding toys of his own
He cuddled the toys in imitation to her and she didn’t feel so alone
He laid down the same way she was, this showed her that he had seen
The ticking sound although still there wasn’t as bad as it had been
She sat up with her toys over her face but peeped over the top of one
He sat up and did the same, at that moment her face lit up like the sun
He looked at her with a look which said I am enjoying being with you
She dipped her head, eye contact was hard, she didn’t know what to do
He looked down but relaxed his body showing her everything was okay
She felt a lot calmer but still heard the ticking, she heard it every day
She pointed to the clock on the opposite wall and wanted it taken down
He looked at her, pointed at the clock and gave her a playful frown
He reached to the clock took the battery out then put it back on the wall
She sat very quiet and for the first time she was liking being in the hall
He too sat quiet and held right back but showed her he was still there
She lifted her head to look at him and held up her precious teddy bear
He gave a look of happy surprise and moved his toy car along the floor
He was attentive to her which empowered her and she wanted more
As he tuned in the connection grew and to her he made complete sense
What he was supporting her to learn during that time was immense
She was learning to be with another in a way which made her feel good
Because of him being with her in this way she felt that she could.
Kate's poem illustrates in words what a great Intensive Interaction looks like and how as part of a series of interactions it can transform lives.
Look out for more updates this week, in video and stories.
