Responsive Communication

Combining attention to sensory issues with using body language (intensive interaction) to interact with autistic adults and children

Published by Pavilion Publishing, Responsive Communication is a ground-breaking new book that has been put together by a team of authors led by Phoebe Caldwell who, during her long-time practice in this field, has found some unique paths to achieving deep and meaningful engagement with autistic people and people with profound and multiple learning disabilities. The book explains how to communicate with children and adults who are struggling to understand and articulate speech using Responsive Communication. Responsive Communication combines intensive interaction (using people’s body language to communicate) with attention to sensory issues, to encourage effective emotional engagement and reduce behavioural distress.

The authors offer a range of fascinating and informative perspectives on the approach and application of responsive communication, from backgrounds including expert by experience, communication, service management, occupational therapy, neuroscience and psychiatry. What this range of contributors has in common is a sense that before we can address communication, we need to attend to the sensory features of autism and reduce the information-processing distress that may be hindering our ability to get in touch with our autistic partners.

AUDIENCE:

Responsive Communication will benefit support staff, professionals and family members supporting autistic adults and children and people with profound and multiple learning disabilities.

ABOUT THE LEAD AUTHOR:

Phoebe Caldwell DSc is a Responsive Communication Practitioner who has pioneered the development of support for people on the autistic spectrum for almost fifty years, opening channels of communication and emotional engagement for thousands of individuals who had previously experienced social and emotional isolation. Internationally, Phoebe collaborates with professionals globally including Australia, the Netherlands, Denmark and Canada. Phoebe’s contribution was recognised when she won The Times/Sternberg Award, which celebrates outstanding contributions of people to their community and to public life made after their 70th birthday.