Why RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) ?
When you are considering various therapies on Autism, it is important to understand, that Autism is not a collection of behaviors to be addressed, but it’s a neurodevelopment disorder, that impairs the child’s ability to naturally connect and relate to others.
In typically developing children, this relating or connecting with others develops early on in infancy that forms the most important first relationship in a child’s life, which is the Parent-Child Guiding Relationship.
When a child is unable to be guided, he misses his development milestones, it gets hard for him to become a flexible thinker, doesn’t learn how to interact, socialize, and relate to others.
Through detailed assessment, setting goals, and helping parents to create rich meaning full opportunities in their day -to – day life with their children, RDI® (Relationship Development Intervention) works on building this guiding relationship which addresses the core deficits in autism, it is the path to change the way the child is Interacting, thinking, relating, communicating.
RDI was founded in the USA, in the 2000’s, by renowned clinical psychologists Dr Steven Gutstein and Dr Rachelle Sheely, who drew on the latest research in the fields of autism, child development, psychology and neurology. They have continued to develop the RDI Program incorporating emerging evidence in these fields and educational best practice. Visit www.rdiconnect.com for more information.
RDI stands out for several reasons
- Customization: Unlike standardized programs, RDI tailors its approach to each unique family and individual affected. There’s no one-size-fits-all approach here.
- Internal Motivation: Rather than relying on external incentives, RDI nurtures a natural desire within the individual to engage and collaborate with others, fostering genuine internal motivation.
- Focus on Thinking: Emphasizing thinking as a primary tool for brain development, RDI encourages new ways of thinking, essentially reshaping the brain for better functioning.
- Integration into Daily Life: Rather than isolating therapy sessions, RDI integrates personalized interventions seamlessly into everyday activities. It prioritizes the process and connection over mere results or skills.
- Empowering Parents: The parent supervision aspect of RDI is a standout feature. By initially empowering parents through training and then involving them in their child’s development, RDI enables remarkable empowerment and confidence in parents.
Ultimately, RDI’s strength lies in its adaptability, emphasis on intrinsic motivation, cognitive development focus, integration into daily life, and the profound empowerment it offers to parents.
THE PROMISE OF RDI: EXPECTED SHIFTS
The outcomes from RDI Program are often transformational for both parents and children: Increased Confidence: Children experience a notable boost in their confidence levels.
- Behavioural Improvement: Tantrums and behavioral issues tend to decrease significantly.
- Enhanced Empathy: Children show increased interest in understanding and acknowledging the feelings of family members.
- Reduced Parental Stress: Parents report a significant reduction in conflicts and stress associated with their child’s behavior.
- Heightened Hope: Parents feel more optimistic and less anxious about the future. Improved Composure: Parents become calmer and more assured in handling various situations.
- Enhanced Creativity: Both parents and children display an increased capacity to generate creative and effective ideas and responses.
- Responsibility: Children exhibit a stronger inclination to take on more responsibility in their daily lives.
- Openness to Guidance: Children become more receptive and motivated to accept guidance and support.
Overall, the program’s outcomes often span various aspects, contributing to improved emotional well-being, communication, and harmony within the family dynamic, fostering growth and development in both children and parents.
What does RDI involve?
RDI program is a 1-year individualised program, customised for each family needs. Where parents will work with their children in a watchful eye of a consultant.
Consultant will do detailed assessments, set goals, and help parents create rich meaning full opportunities in their day -to – day life. Parents will meet and consult every week in person/online and review the work done with the help of videos and plan the goals for week ahead.
Parents initially concentrate on areas such as the early foundations of social interaction, co-regulation, self-regulation and move towards dynamic thinking.
Rather than setting aside specific “Therapy” time, Consultant will build personalised intervention in everyday activities, we will focus on the process and connection, rather than the result or the skill.
- Full-Year Intensive Program: The RDI Supervision program spans a year with one comprehensive sessions every week online/ofline, each lasting 1.5 hours.
- Make-up Sessions: In case of missed sessions, arrangements for compensatory sessions will be made.
- Backend Commitment: I will dedicate approximately 2-3 hours per week to backend tasks such as video analysis, formulating feedback, crafting personalized goals, and planning subsequent sessions.
- Continuous Support: As I limit my clientele to 10 parents a year, I commit to being readily available via phone or WhatsApp to assist should any difficulties arise between sessions.