Intensive interaction

Intensive interaction

Photograph of a woman sticking out her tongue as an example of an intensive interaction to encourage a child to followWhat is intensive interaction?

Intensive Interaction is an approach that supports interaction and learning in the early stages of communication development. It is a fun and enjoyable way to help develop communication using a variety of techniques to engage the child or young person and encourage them to interact and vocalise.

This helps children to develop the fundamentals of communication – the abilities and experiences that come before speech development.

The fundamentals of communication

The fundamentals of communication include:

  • Enjoying being with another person and sharing personal space.
  • Developing the ability to show attention to that person.
  • Learning to take turns in sequences of actions with another person.
  • Using and understanding eye contacts, facial expressions and body language.
  • Using vocalisations with meaning (for some, speech development).
  • Learning to feel and be calm.

How do I interact intensively with my child?

You interact with your child by watching, waiting and tuning in to what they are doing, seeing what they’re interested in and trying to enter their world by:

  • following your child’s lead
  • not doing too much
  • letting your child’s play, movements and vocalisations guide you
  • responding to what they’re doing by copying and joining in
  • making your voice and face look warm, exciting and interested in what they are doing.

You don’t need lots of toys for intensive interaction as you can use your facial expressions, sounds and movements. However, some things that might be useful include balls and ball runs, cars and car ramps, bubbles, mirrors, balloons, light and sound toys, sensory materials like feathers or brushes.

How to get started with intensive interaction

  • Spend some one-to-one time with your child.
  • Put yourself in a position where you are close to your child.
  • Keep your face relaxed and interested.
  • The important bit: tune-in to what your child is doing with their body and their sounds.
  • Take time to watch.
  • Slowly begin to copy and join in with what your child is doing.
  • Go slowly and use lots of pauses. Your child may begin to notice you are doing the same thing.
  • The main aim is that both you and your child enjoy your time together and have fun.

Helpful ideas for intensive interaction

  • Imitation – copying what your child does by repeating their sounds and actions.
  • Doing things together – look at and explore objects together by passing objects or toys back and forth, looking in a mirror together, making noises together, playing with a ball, watching bubbles, singing songs with actions.
  • Eye contact and facial expressions – you can do this by playing games like peek-a-boo, pulling faces, or looking in the mirror together. You could do facial expressions like smiles, frowns, silly faces, tongue movements, yawns, or sneezes.
  • Building anticipation – start an activity then leave a pause to give space for your child to anticipate and react. For example, say “ready, steady… go!” with a long pause in between steady and go for your child to make a physical movement, eye contact or sound. Ideas for anticipation building games include bubbles, tickling, chasing, letting toy cars run down a ramp, songs with actions, blowing up balloons.

It’s really important to follow your child’s lead and use objects and toys that interest them.

Useful information and resources for intensive interaction

Autism, Social Communication, Intensive Interaction

Therapy strategies: Intensive Interaction