Intensive Interaction Handbook Book review in an International PBS Journal

For my Blog this week I will draw your attention to a book review in a recent issue of the International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support. 

The review was on The Intensive Interaction Handbook (2018: 2nd Edition) by Sage Publications. The review is from Speech and Language Therapist Nicola Wightman (West Dunbartonshire Learning Disability Service). I think it is great to see the message being put out there to help inform our colleagues in the PBS community about the power of Intensive Interaction as a proactive social communication approach: thanks Nicola! 

Below are some extracts from this review:

Nicola starts by saying that: 'Dave Hewett begins this 2nd edition of The Intensive Interaction Handbook briefly reminding us of the wonderful nature of human communication and how, when it is working well, we can, mostly ‘non-consciously’ read other people. This allows us to tune-in to others on a psychological and emotional level and enjoy ‘social gossip'. 

'This sets the context for the rest of the book, giving a brief overview of Intensive Interaction, what it is, who it is for and what it teaches – the fundamentals of communication. This allows the reader to understand that Intensive Interaction helps meet the basic human need of communicating and being social for the sake of it, and that for some, it will be the building blocks to developing speech and language'. 

Nicola then points out that: 'The vast majority of the book is given over to the practicalities of doing Intensive Interaction – and if this is something you have always wondered about, or if you’ve never been sure whether you’ve been ‘doing it right’, then these chapters will hold your hand the whole way through. If you’re a newbie to Intensive Interaction, you will appreciate the level of detail. If you have more experience, then it will be an excellent refresher'. 

Nicola also said that she ... 'particularly liked the chapter on Doing Intensive Interaction at home (Chapter 11), where Tandy Harrison discusses the use of Intensive Interaction in the home environment. I think the Handbook in general will give parents the background to what I find they, often, are already doing ‘non-consciously’. This is something I would like to see more of because it is so important'. 

Finally Nicola states that: 'This is not a technical book; it is not immersed in the evidence base. If you are looking for a systematic review of the Intensive Interaction literature, this is not for you. It is, as it states itself to be, a practical handbook. It takes us, step-by-step through the how-to of Intensive Interaction; it reminds us of the why and it shows us how to record it. If you are a practitioner out there doing Intensive Interaction, you will find this resource invaluable'.

For the full review see the International Journal of Positive Behavioural Support (2019, Vol 9, Issue 2, p.64-65).