Vishal Sharma and Graham Firth discuss how professionals can communicate better with people who exhibit severe challenging behaviour

This article reviews research on the effects of intensive interaction (II) on the conduct, health and wellbeing of people with learning disabilities who exhibit severe challenging behaviour, and on the wellbeing of their carers. The authors conclude that II can benefit clients, carers and staff, but that research is required to encourage developments in policy and practice, and that additional staff training is needed to ensure II techniques succeed.