What is Intensive Interaction?
In a nutshell, Intensive Interaction enables practitioners and family members to simplify and fine tune their communication style.
In so doing the person they are supporting is empowered to successfully connect and engage in a two-way exchange.
These meaningful and enjoyable interactions in turn promote social inclusion and emotional well-being and support the development of The Fundamentals of Communication.
The Fundamentals of Communication
Personal space
the ability to share personal space comfortably with others
Attending
developing the ability to attend to another person
Physical contact
understanding and using physical contacts
Eye contact
understanding and using eye contacts
Facial expression
understanding and using facial expressions
Turn taking
learning to take turns in exchanges of behaviour … and engage in sequences of activity with another person
Vocalisation
understanding and using vocalisations meaningfully (including speech development)
Being with others
enjoying being with another person
The emotional and psychological outcomes of Intensive Interaction include
Connection
Attunement, connection, attachment, rapport
Arousal
Learning to regulate and control arousal levels - learning to feel safe, secure, calm
Sense of self
Building sense of self, self-esteem and sense of agency
Feelings
Learning to identify own feelings and the feelings of others
Care and trust
Knowing that others care and learning to trust others
Empathy
Developing empathy and learning to care; knowing/caring about how somebody else feels
Our Mission
The Institute aims:
“To define, develop and disseminate the theory and practice of Intensive Interaction.”
Define – To be the leading authority regarding the theory, philosophy and description of the Intensive Interaction approach.
Develop – To continue the development of Intensive Interaction to reflect advances in understanding of the brain, communication, behaviour, and emotional well-being.
Disseminate – to further the awareness, knowledge and understanding of Intensive Interaction through training, research and publications.”
Our impact
Intensive Interaction has been recognised as a gold standard approach to support individuals of all ages with communication and social communication difficulties.
Since its inception in the1990s the approach has been shared with families and professionals around the world.
145 Intensive Interaction Co-ordinators were personally trained by Dr Dave Hewett OBE, founding member of Intensive Interaction, prior to his retirement in 2020.
In 2021, Amandine Mourière (Associate of the Intensive Interaction Institute and Head of Training) began developing a new online Modular Training course, offering greater flexibility and opportunities for individuals to learn at their own pace.
Since this modular approach was established in 2022, we have reached more than 6000 individuals with our training.
Our Governance
The Directors of the Intensive Interaction Institute are the organisation’s governing body. The board is collectively and legally responsible for robust financial and risk management, good governance and strategic vision, company compliance and ensuring the organisation’s resources and delivery aligns to its objects and governing documents.
Good governance is fundamental to the Institute’s success. It enables and supports the Intensive Interaction Institute’s compliance with the law and relevant regulations. It also promotes a culture in which everything works towards fulfilling our vision.
- endeavour to secure the long-term direction of the Intensive Interaction Institute
- maintain our policies and procedures to ensure that the Intensive Interaction Institute is run in a way that is legal, responsible and effective
- listen and respond to the views of service users, funders and supporters with an interest in our work
- consider our responsibilities to the wider community
- promote equality, diversity and inclusion, and good relations
- ensure open communication by informing about the Intensive Interaction Institute and its work
- handle complaints constructively, impartially and efficiently
- act according to high ethical standards