I found that spending just 10 minutes tuning into someone else’s world can be uncomfortable and quite daunting. I found out more about myself and the things I do if I am nervous, uncomfortable or in an unfamiliar situation and that was… I talk A LOT!!!!
I want to share with you one of my first attempts at Intensive Interaction.
Pauline, who does not use words to communicate, was sitting at the kitchen table, as she often does, playing with her Jenga blocks and I decided to try and join in, but in a subtle way, where she would lead the activity and our engagement.
At first I found it really hard to let go of my urge to speak when actually I didn’t need to use words. Pauline and I could connect using eye contact, touch and lots of facial expressions. Pauline, laughed a great deal, and I think found it funny and quite intriguing that I shut up for once!
We had lots of smiles, giggles and eye contact during our ‘game’. This short time spent with Pauline felt more valuable than planning and going out on big events, as I feel Pauline and I connected in a way that we perhaps hadn’t before. It’s early days for this journey, but as I keep working on my skills and sharing what I’m learning with the team, I’m sure we will all manage to have so many more Great Interactions with Pauline using Intensive Interaction.
Fiona Mutch
Head of service
The Croft
Click here to view this month's MacIntyre Story, 'Does he take sugar?' by Paul Jenkins