title: The Effectiveness of Intensive Interaction, A Systematic Literature Review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Intensive Interaction is an approach used for communicating with people with profound and multiple intellectual disabilities or autism. It has gained increased recognition as a helpful technique, but the evidence has not been systematically reviewed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Computerized and hand searches of the literature were conducted using synonyms for 'intellectual disabilities', 'autism' and 'intensive interaction'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen quantitative and three qualitative papers were identified examining the efficacy of the approach with participants across the age range in both educational and residential settings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Studies were limited by the quality of reporting and difficulties conducting good quality, ethically sound research with participants with PMID. Staff support should be considered in training to aid implementation of interventions. Studies attempted to investigate whether Intensive Interaction builds social interactions or reduces repetitive or self-injurious behaviour. More research needs to be conducted before conclusions can be drawn regarding the efficacy of this approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Nick
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hutchinson
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychological Health and Wellbeing, University of Hull, Hull, UK.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2103-6128
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bodicoat
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001321:Autistic Disorder / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: autism; intellectual disabilities; intensive interaction; profound and multiple intellectual disabilities