Phoebe Caldwell's remarkable new book makes accessible for the first time the complex, intricate inner and sensory worlds of people whose learning disabilities are combined with autistic spectrum disorder and, often, difficult-to-manage behaviour. Based on many years of working with such people, many of whom have withdrawn into a world of their own, she explores the different sensory reality they experience, showing it to be infinitely more complex and varied than is widely understood. She introduces a practical approach known as Intensive Interaction, which uses the body language of such people - who have hitherto largely been regarded as unreachable - to get in touch with them, giving them a way of expressing themselves which shifts their attention from solitary self-stimulation to shared activity. The outcome is not only a marked improvement in behaviour and ability to communicate but, more important, many parents will say 'they are just much happier'. Covering not only the practical aspects of introducing this technique, but also the thinking behind it, this landmark book has much to say on behalf of a group that has in the past largely been denied a voice, and will open new avenues for both practice and research. It will be invaluable for parents, carers, and all who work with this group.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction. 2. What is Autism? 3. Causes of Stress. 4. Behaviour - Challenging or Distressed? 5. Intensive Interaction. 6. The Development of Self. Appendix A: The Causes of ASD. Appendix B: The Way In - Using Intensive Interaction. References. Index.

Author Biography

Phoebe Caldwell has worked for over 30 years as a practitioner with people whose severe learning disabilities are linked with behavioural distress. Originally a biologist, she was a Rowntree Research Fellow for four years, trains practitioners, parents and carers in her successful approach to Intensive Interaction and is employed by the NHS, Social Services and Community and Education Services to work with difficult-to-provide-for individuals. She has been a speaker at the BILD Annual Conference and the Annual Conference of the British Psychological Society. She is the author of four books: Getting in Touch, Person to Person, You Don't Know What It's Like and Crossing the Minefield, as well as the videos Learning the Language and Creative Conversations.