Using Intensive Interaction and Sensory Integration : A Handbook for Those Who Support People with Severe Autistic Spectrum Disorder

People with severe autism experience the sensory information they receive from the world completely differently to those not on the spectrum. They feel cut off and overwhelmed, and their behaviour can become very distressed. This handbook shows how we can engage with people who are non-verbal or semi-verbal and sometimes even those who have speech but lose the power to process it when they are in crisis. We can help them to make sense of the world. Intensive Interaction uses a person’s own body language to make contact with them and Sensory Integration develops the capacity of an individual to receive, process and apply meaning to information provided by the senses through targeted physical activities. These techniques can be used to develop an environment tailored to the particular sensory needs of the person with severe autism, reducing factors that cause distress. With illustrations, case examples and a wide range of tried-and-tested techniques, this practical guide provides indispensable tools for parents, carers and other professionals supporting people with severe autism and other learning disabilities. front cover......Page 1 Using Intensive Interaction and Sensory Integration: A Handbook for Those who Support People with Severe Autistic Spectrum Disorder......Page 5 Contents......Page 7 1. Introduction......Page 9 2. A Different Sensory Experience......Page 21 3. Alternative Viewpoints......Page 26 4. Sensory Distress and its Causes......Page 36 5. Sensory Distortions......Page 41 6. Emotional Overload......Page 59 7. Confusing Messages......Page 64 8. Case Study: A Day in the Life of Mike......Page 83 9. Intensive Interaction......Page 87 10. So What about Distressed Behaviour?......Page 100 11. Conclusion......Page 105 BIBLIOGRAPHY AND USEFUL RESOURCES......Page 107 ABOUT THE AUTHORS......Page 110 INDEX......Page 112 back cover......Page 116 Introduction A different sensory experience Alternative viewpoints Sensory distress and its causes Sensory distortions & hypersensitivities Emotional overload embarrassment Confusing messages Case study: a day in the life of Mike Intensive interaction So what about distressed behaviour? Conclusion.