Graham Firth

Graham Steven Russell Firth (born 26 June 1960) is a former NHS Intensive Interaction Project Leader and Highly Specialised Practitioner for the Leeds and York NHS partnership trust, a founding director of the Intensive Interaction Institute and a published author.

Early life and education

Firth completed a Bachelor of Science in Food Science at the University of Leeds, as well as later returning to complete a P.G.C.E. in Primary Teaching. He has also received an Advanced Diploma in Special Needs in Education and a Master of Arts degree in Special Education from the Open University.

Career

After working for 6 years as a care-assistant at a large residential hospital for people with learning disabilities, Graham became a qualified teacher. Initially working in mainstream primary education, he then moved into further education for students with severe or profound learning disabilities; it was with such learners that he adopted Intensive Interaction as his main classroom.

In 2003 Graham took up the post of Intensive Interaction Project Leader at Leeds & York Partnership NHS Trust, where he worked for 17 years to train and support others to adopt, develop and sustain their Intensive Interaction practices or services. Over the past 15 years Graham has published a range of Intensive Interaction books, training packs and research and position papers.

Graham is Editor of the Journal of Intensive Interaction Research and Practice and has organised the national UK Intensive Interaction Conference since 2005.

Bibliography

Understanding Intensive Interaction:context and concepts for professionals and families with Ruth Berry and Cath Irvine
Using Intensive Interaction with a Person with a Social or Communicative Impairment with Mark Barber
The Intensive Interaction Handbook with Dave Hewett, Mark Barber and Tandy Harrison
Not a Single Word
Delivering Intensive Interaction Across Settings: Practice, Community and Leadership with Mark Barber

External links

Intensive Interaction Institute, an organisation for the advancement of intensive interaction
Graham Firth's Intensive Interaction Blog

Category:Living people Category:1960 births Category:People associated with the University of Leeds