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

In this handbook aimed at carers, parents, and other professionals, Caldwell explains how to work with people with severe autistic spectrum disorder by using their body language to make contact and establish emotional engagement. She also describes a technique to help develop the capacity of an individual to receive, process, and apply meaning to sensory information provided through targeted activities. The handbook does not compare different educational systems used to teach those who are autistic to deal with the world. Caldwell (NHS Social Services and Community Education Services, UK), who is joined by a pediatric occupational therapist, works as a practitioner with people whose severe learning disabilities are connected to behavioral distress. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Phoebe Caldwell has worked for over 35 years as a practitioner with children and adults with autism and people whose severe learning disabilities are linked with behavioural distress. She was a Rowntree Research Fellow for four years, trains management, therapists, practitioners, parents and carers in her successful approach to Intensive Interaction. She is employed by the NHS Social Services and Community and Education Services to work with difficult-to-provide-for individuals. In 2009 she was awarded the Times/Sternberg Award for pioneering autism treatment and is soon to be awarded a DSc by the University of Bristol.