Examining the impact of a city-wide intensive interaction staff training program for adults with profound and multiple learning disability: a mixed methods evaluation

Mothers' experience of Intensive Interaction

There is limited research into parents' experiences of Intensive Interaction. Despite this, there are parents who use it and may hold unique experiences. Exploring this could provide insight into how to support parents using Intensive Interaction. Six mothers, who used Intensive Interaction with their children with intellectual disabilities and/or autism, were interviewed. Results were analysed using interpretative phenomenological analysis. The analysis yielded 10 subordinate themes which were organised into 4 superordinate themes: 'The Connection', 'Bittersweet', 'Fighting for Support' and 'Challenging Underlying Low Expectations & Stigma'. Intensive Interaction was found to help some mothers feel connected with their child; they appeared to indicate that accessing timely support with Intensive Interaction was beneficial. Intensive Interaction was also perceived to challenge assumptions and stigma, but these factors were also perceived to be potential barriers to using the approach.

Staff experience of the implementation of intensive interaction within their places of work with people with learning disabilities and/or autism

BACKGROUND

Intensive interaction is an approach used to develop the communication and social inclusion of those who are pre-verbal. It is used in a variety of settings by healthcare and educational staff.

METHOD

A systematic search was conducted to identify and review the literature which explores staff experiences of intensive interaction being implemented within their places of work. Thematic synthesis was utilized to synthesize the findings.

RESULTS

Nine papers were included. Three higher-order themes were generated: "Personal Doubt, Discordance & Discomfort," "A Turning Point" and "Needing Implementation at All Levels."

CONCLUSIONS

There were consistent findings across a range of settings. Findings suggest that intensive interaction is rewarding for staff and beneficial to those that they work with. Implementation was sometimes perceived to be challenging and this review attempts to highlight solutions with guidance of the literature. Limitations largely relate to heterogeneity of the papers and methodological limitations are discussed.