Mothers' experience of Intensive Interaction

Area of Science:

• Developmental Psychology
• Special Education
• Family Studies

Background:

• Limited research exists on parents' experiences with Intensive Interaction.
• Parents using Intensive Interaction with children with intellectual disabilities and/or autism have unique insights.
• Understanding these experiences can inform better support strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the lived experiences of mothers using Intensive Interaction with their children.
• To identify the benefits and challenges associated with Intensive Interaction from a parental perspective.
• To gain insights into how to effectively support parents utilizing this approach.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving semi-structured interviews with six mothers.
• Interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA) was used to analyze interview data.
• Exploration of themes related to connection, support, stigma, and expectations.

Main Results:

• Four superordinate themes emerged: 'The Connection', 'Bittersweet', 'Fighting for Support', and 'Challenging Underlying Low Expectations & Stigma'.
• Intensive Interaction facilitated a sense of connection between mothers and their children.
• Timely support was perceived as beneficial, yet stigma and low expectations presented barriers.

Conclusions:

• Intensive Interaction can foster connection and challenge negative assumptions for parents.
• Addressing stigma and ensuring accessible, timely support are crucial for effective implementation.
• Further research is needed to optimize parental support in Intensive Interaction.