Meaningful Intensive Interaction in a PPE world
published 4 Dec 2020 by Marilyn Anderson in Practice category with 2 comments
published 4 Dec 2020 by Marilyn Anderson in Practice category with 2 comments
By Lynne Crane, Interaction Practitioner
How do we engage with people who have profound and multiple disabilities: people who also often have sensory processing issues and may have an additional impairment of hearing or sight loss?
One of the most effective ways, that we at Us in a Bus have been using for 30 years, is Intensive Interaction. The approach is based on observing a person’s movements, facial expressions and vocalisations and mirroring or echoing them back to the person to communicate that we have noticed or heard them. The aim is to entice them into an inclusive and meaningful conversation conducted in their language. To help enable this connection we adjust our positioning to give people the maximum opportunity to focus on us. We often use appropriate touch, equipment aids and our facial expressions to help us engage with the person.
A pandemic arrives and suddenly our weekly visits are temporarily stopped. Clients we have been building relationships with, often for many years, are undoubtedly confused as to our disappearance from their lives. For a great many, 12 months on, we have not been able to recommence visits. For a few we have, and we are grateful for this but, things are not the same.
Our sessions have changed dramatically in line with the new Covid restrictions. We wear face masks, visors and gloves to keep everyone safe. We stay at least 2 metres apart from the clients, and facilitate the sessions outside whenever we can, in all weathers. This brings a totally new set of challenges to both the practitioners and the people we visit.
But… We are determined to continue to offer sessions that are meaningful and engaging to those who ask for so little but deserve so much. So, we find ways to embrace the challenges we face and find new ways of engaging. We raise our voices a little louder, exaggerate our facial expressions, use our voices to explain what may be obscured from view, use our body movements to emphasise actions we observe, sing louder and celebrate the weather, nature, the sounds of the garden, and incorporate them all into our sessions. We have become differently creative, imaginative, and very determined to continue to deliver sessions that are engaging, purposeful and enhance the quality of life of those we love to visit.
by Sandra B
In Scottish schools it is 2m apart OR wear a mask but not both unless you as a practitioner wish it.
Having said that, well done guys for taking in the challenge and finding ways round it. Sometimes being outside brings new sensory experiences of their own to celebrate.
Hello Sandra,
Thank you for your comments. The variation in requirements continues to interest us and yes, outside provides both endless possibilities and endless challenges!
Kind regards
Anne Laney – Practice Manager
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