Intensive Interaction changing lives |
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An inspiring program being rolled out at Villa Maria’s St Paul’s College in Kew is giving students with profound intellectual disabilities the chance to initiate and control communication.
Intensive Interaction is an approach designed specifically for people with complex learning needs, and/or autism, and who are still at an early stage of communication development.
It enables teachers to support learners who don’t use words, or any other obvious or formal ways of communication, to communicate and build meaningful, equal relationships with other people.
The program promotes social dialogues and play and assists in developing the basics in communication such as turn taking, eye contact, sociability, the use of meaningful facial expressions and enjoying being with another person.
St Paul’s College Principal, Cheril Dewhirst, said all 30 staff members were being trained in Intensive Interaction by Dr Mark Barber, who began introducing the approach to Australian schools when he migrated from the UK in 2003.
“By responding to the child and joining in with the things they enjoy, such as rocking them back and forward, then interrupting the game, the child is encouraged to respond in order to continue the play, and it is in this way that interaction and communication is fostered,” Cheril said.
“If you can’t talk or initiate communication, decisions are frequently made for you and often at times things are done to you. In an atmosphere of warmth, sensitivity, and responsiveness, relationships and trust develop which provides an optimal environment for students to develop social and communication skills.”
Villa Maria received a generous $20,000 grant from the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation late last year to purchase equipment to help set-up the program, including video cameras, external hard drives and tripods, with all sessions recorded and later played back for assessment.
Cheril said the program would be rolled out completely at St Paul’s by the end of the year.
The Lord Mayor’s Foundation is one of Melbourne’s longest serving philanthropic organisations and was established by Lord Mayor of the day Sir John Swanson in 1923.
Each year the Foundation receives more than 500 applications for funding from charitable agencies providing care and support to people living in need and disadvantage.
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