From the inside looking out – an Intensive Interaction group for people with profound and multiple learning disabilities

Abstract

SummaryThis paper describes the use of a new project, ‘from the inside looking out’ (FILO) (N. Richardson Unpublished data), to develop communication, interaction and emotional literacy skills with people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The authors utilized tools derived from Intensive Interaction Therapy [D. Hewett & M. Nind (1994)Access to communication. London, David Fulton Publishers; D. Hewett & M. Nind (1998)Interaction in action: reflections on the use of Intensive Interaction. London, David Fulton Publishers] and applied these within a FILO paradigm to run an 8‐week group with five participants where the aim was to build relationships and enhance awareness of emotional variables. The results were measured using both quantitative and qualitative analysis and it was found that a number of discreet observable behaviours related to interactive ability were positively changed across all participants. Important processes within the group are analysed and recommendations for expanding this approach in the future are discussed.