Welcome

Phoebe Caldwell is an expert practitioner who has spent 45 years working with people on the Autistic Spectrum, many of whom have severe behavioural distress and some, but not all, have severe intellectual disabilities. She held a Rowntree Research Fellow for four years. She trains professionals, therapists, managers, practitioners, parents and carers in the successful approach known as Intensive Interaction: now combined with attention to sensory deficits and as such, relabelled, Responsive Communication. She is employed by the NHS, Social Services, Community Services and Education Services to work with difficult-to-provide-for individuals. She is the author of twelve books, her latest books, 'The Anger Box' and �Hall of Mirrors: Shards of Clarity�, (Pavilion) combine practice with recent neurobiological research. Together with Janet Gurney, she has recently produced a major training film, �Responsive Communication� (references).

In 2009, Phoebe won the Times/Sternberg award for her work to improve the outlook for people with severe autism. The award, in its second year, celebrates the achievements of people aged 70 or over who have done most for society and good causes in their older age. In 2011 she was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Science (DSc) by Bristol University for her work on communication with people on the autistic spectrum and those with profound multiple learning disabilities.

Current Practice

Age is catching up with me. From November I shall no longer be giving all day training sessions round the country, unless transport is provided. (Trains are too much of a struggle). I am still working locally (North Yorkshire), and visiting local children at home. Alternatively I will lay on a day�s training for interested Professionals and Parents at my home to discuss their family members. (No more than two at a time in a small flat in Settle. Settle has railway station). This seems to work well if they send film on memory stick beforehand so that I have had time to consider the difficulties that are being encountered.