Using intensive interaction to help build friendships

Graham Firth who is an Intensive Interaction Practitioner talks to colleague Zoe Halstead about intensive interaction

Graham has worked for the NHS since 1984 and is an Intensive Interaction Practitioner and trainer. Intensive interaction works by using the fundamentals or early stages of development such as the use of facial expression, gestures, tone, vocalisations, turn taking… to engage and interact.

Makaton is a multi modal approach to communication which specifically helps those with autism and/or a learning disability to communicate.

Over the years Graham has worked with staff to understand how to apply intensive interaction techniques in their everyday practice to break down barriers in communication for those that have little or no speech and a learning disability.

I was personally trained by Graham over 5 years ago and combine his intensive interaction methods with my own Makaton training to show staff how to communicate with service users in the most person centred way possible.

So many service users across the Supported Living Service will be feeling the benefit of Graham’s training. During the lockdown period Graham was redeployed to Parkwood View where he worked alongside staff and was able to engage with the people who live there. He has been supporting staff to adapt their techniques as now they are wearing masks vital facial expression is missed (and can be scary no doubt to some people we support) and needs to be replaced with tone, body posture and eye contact.

Over the weeks he has built strong relationships with those around him and has passed on advice which will no doubt help staff forge relationships and aid communication over the years.

Graham officially retires in two weeks, He will be missed by all.

By Zoe Halstead, Support Manager in the Specialised Supported Living Service.