Contrary to popular
belief, RDI®
is not a social skills program. It is a cognitive-developmental program that is based on the most recent research in
both autism and typical child development. RDI® is designed to address the unique deficits present in individuals with autism
spectrum disorders. Individuals with ASD have deficits in the area of dynamic intelligence; using and reading non-verbal
communication, sharing experiences, collaborating with others, problem solving and borrowing other's perspectives.
RDI®
is different from other therapies as it does not compensate for the deficits of ASD and work around them. RDI® seeks to remediate
these deficits and offers individuals with ASD a better quality of life. RDI®
has shown to be a successful intervention for all age ranges
and across all severities of autism.
Parents are an integral part to this process as the parent-child relationship
is primary in teaching children how to communicate, regulate emotions and solve real world problems. Typically developing
children develop these skills early in life in a very natural way from their parents. RDI® teaches parents how to slow down and
to revisit these missed developmental milestones in dynamic intelligence through their reciprocal relationship with their
child.
The
RDI®
program is broken down to systematic, flexible and workable steps that are easy to follow and provide a flexibility that most
other therapies cannot. While I will design and assist you in implementing your family's individualized plan, RDI® is a parent based
program so the majority of the work takes place between you and your child. This is because we believe all children,
including children with ASD learn best from the most important person(s) in their life, their parents.
You
will become proficient at implementing RDI® throughout your day and it will become a lifestyle. There is not a specific amount
of time you need to spend with your child "doing RDI® ." Your child will begin
to make gains in dynamic intelligence as you begin to change the way you communicate, alter the way you are interacting and
incorporating your child into activities that are already taking place in your home.
