What is RDI?

Trying to understand Autism can lead to confusion.

You might have noticed that this Autism thing can be pretty confusing.

How can Dan Akroyd and Temple Grandin; possibly Albert Einstein and Jim Henson; “Rain Man”; and folks who are called “non-verbal” all have the same thing?

They probably don’t…

Well, according to current research they probably don’t…

I know that many parents, educators, and individuals living with Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders are spending a lot of time, money, and M&M’s (literally and figuratively) to get the better of overwhelming challenges.

Coming from a place of always having to work too hard to get not far enough, it’s understandable that many of us want a simple solution and big results as fast as possible.

Not that simple.

Unfortunately, the reality is that ASD is no simple thing. Current research tells us that several factors can come together – genetics, environment, physical differences, emotional stress and more – to create what we call ASD.

And these factors come together in different combinations for everyone, which is why one person’s ASD hardly ever looks just like another’s.

It’s understandable that a lot of folks want a penicillin kind of solution for this. The bad news is that it just doesn’t look like there’s one to be found.

Now, this brings up the obvious question.

If every case of ASD is different, then how can you create an effective treatment?

This is where RDI (Relational Development Intervention) comes into play. To illustrate, I’m going to borrow a concept from permaculture (hang around me enough, sooner or later you’re going to hear about permaculture…):

“The problem is the solution.”

In fact, before answering the above question and addressing the problem it points to, I’m going to deepen it further by asking another question:

If every case of ASD is different and there’s no single cause, how can there even be a thing called ASD?

Right? So, basically the two questions/problems stated above bring us to two necessary conclusions:

If each case of ASD is different, then an effective, meaningful treatment must be specifically tailored to meet the needs of each family and individual.
This treatment must address what ASD always is and always has in common – a breakdown in the ability to engage meaningfully with (and benefit from) the uncertainty that comes with human relationships.

“Now for something completely different” (Monty Python)

In a place and time when we are overwhelmed by all the possible treatments for Autism, the real goals are:

A genuine connection with your child now,
And fulfillment and independence for them in the future.

Relational Development Intervention (RDI) is commonly called “the missing piece in the treatment for Autism” and related disorders, because many of the known treatments are unfounded or based on outdated research – and often don’t even claim as their goal what you REALLY want.

Science supports RDI’s effectiveness.

Over 15 years ago, RDI’s founder, Dr. Steven Gutstein, brought together brain research with the latest in developmental psychology to create a treatment that improves Autism at its core – rather than aiming to correct the skill deficits that pop up as a result.

And while the RDI program is specifically tailored for each family and individual, it is continually being updated in response to evolving research in the fields of Autism, neurology, and developmental psychology.

It offers a clear path from where you are now – frustration, disconnection, and overwhelm – to where you want to be – meaningful connection, sustainable self-sufficiency, and hope.

So…What is RDI?

RDI is a parent-coaching program for Autism that improves Autism at its core. Even though what causes Autism varies from one person to another, current research points to one common factor across all cases of Autism: That is, the breakdown in the ability of the child to fully access the guiding relationship provided by their parents. This breakdown results from differences in the child’s development.

RDI works to repair this relationship and get it back on track and up to speed by strengthening abilities in several areas, including the following:

Through emotional referencing, they learn from the emotional and subjective experiences of others.
Social coordination helps them gain the ability to observe and control behavior to successfully participate in social relationships.
Declarative language provides them the ability to use language and non-verbal communication to express curiosity, invite interactions, share perceptions and feelings, and coordinate with others.
Flexible thinking teaches them to adapt and alter plans as circumstances change.
Relational information processing helps put things into context and solve problems that lack clear-cut solutions.
Foresight and hindsight enable them to anticipate future possibilities based on past experiences.

RDI offers proven results.

Your child will grow in the ability to solve unique problems creatively and flexibly, with increasing levels of independence.

Your child’s communication skills will improve. Communication initiated by your child will be increasingly meaningful.

Your child will become more self-aware and able to control his own behavior.

Your child’s “theory of mind” (that is, the ability to appreciate the thoughts and feelings of others) will improve.

Your child will have an increased sense of self and others, leading to greater self-confidence and improved relationships.

Your child will be more able to navigate her world independently, as she becomes more able to anticipate and plan for potential problems and respond more appropriately when unexpected problems arise.

Genuine growth and connection are possible!

Autism offers us many questions, with many possible answers. Always different and ever changing. It’s a tough nut to crack. Tough, but not impossible. For this, we have RDI – a solution that fits you, your child, and your life.

Contact me today at julie.meyerowitz@hearmywordsautism.com to find out more.