Caldwell is the developer of an approach to Intensive Interaction for communicating with non-verbal people with severe learning disabilities. In this guide to using her approach, she explores the nature of close relationships, and shows how they are based not so much on words as on the ability to listen and respond in terms that are familiar to the other person. As background, she overviews relevant concepts of intimacy, body language, and theory of mind, and outlines the stresses experienced by people with learning disabilities and with autism. She then covers techniques of Intensive Interaction for establishing contact and building a relationship with non-verbal people, and gives examples of recent encounters with children and adults with autism spectrum disorders and cerebral palsy. The method is accessible to anyone who lives or works with non-verbal people. The author is affiliated with the UK's National Health Social Services and Community and Education Service. Annotation ©2007 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)