RDI

[Guest guest]

I don't think there is any set age. In Gutstein's paper that I mentioned below, I think the kids were about 5-6; however, with other therapies, it seems the earlier the child starts therapy the better chance he has of more "typical" development.

If you go to www.connectionscenter.com/ there is a listing of certified providers (a number are in CA), and also a link to connect for asking questions. I did write to Gutstein with several questions and received a reply from one of his associates. (Took about a week for a reply).

Joanne

Re: IEP goals...Joanne

What is an RDI program and what State are you in with this Autistic Center?

Does the school district pay for this center or state funding?

Thanks for the data, sounds promising.

Bonnie - Los Angeles, CA

==================Joanne Urquhart <DreamTapper@...> wrote:

Sally,

Actually we are starting Gutstein's RDI program through the Autistic Center and I'm hopeful that many of those IEP goals will be addressed through that program. The therapist at the Center is currently working on establishing a rapport with my son so that they can appropriately evaluate at what level to start therapy. We will then be instructed on activities to do at home. Some of these goals seem so simple and logical, however, they are the groundwork upon which higher level skills build. Without the foundation, other skills are very difficult or impossible to attain.

Joanne

[Guest guest]

thanks Miriam,

I am debating whether or not to go to an RDI 2 day workshop in New Jersey

although my husband is the one who desperately needs to go!

DO you also work with an RDI consultant? We only have one that I know of in

Massachusetts and zero in RI. (Not that I can afford a an RDI consultant.

Plus we already have a wonderful autism consultant that we work with!)

How old is your son?

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our kids, but for a

Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative command that

shuts down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches mindful

development.

Hi

Boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more. It took me a while to understand

that " no " doesn't serve any purpose with kids with autism unless you are

talking about things that are always no (drinking poison, running in the road,

etc...)

Once we started showing Andy through a daily schedule WHEN he could do or

have things that were worrying him, we didn't have to say no you can't have a

cookie or no we can't go to Mcs. We just showed him when! Absolutely

amazing the difference in his behavior. He caught on real quickly and became a

different kid with this positive support

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan. Just wanted to add my two cents about RDI. I love RDI, and have been

working

with my HFA son for about two years now. One of the things I like about it is

that it

attempts to remediate developmental steps that our kids missed when they were

growing

up. Yes, the screaming " NO! " is so typical with all kids, haha. RDI focuses

on that

directly, in the " MA " relationship. " MA " stands for " master-apprentice "

relationship,

where kids (and really all ages) with autism learn to trust their parents for

important

information and guidance. You know, how typical kids when they're young, if

they're

faced with an uncertain situation, will reference their parent to see if

something is OK or

safe? RDI is very much about changing the parenting and family style and it

takes a lot of

work, but in my case the results are dramatic. Developing an " MA " relationship

is one of

the first steps you work on, and can be very very hard in the beginning. More

info can

be found at http://www.rdiconnect.com

Sorry if this was long or confusing. I LOVE the IPADD group and read all the

time, but I

don't post very often.

thanks,

Miriam McCann in Chicago

>

> Ellen are you using RDI with your adult son or daughter?

> If so what do you think?

> I LOVE RDI and their theories for young kids but not sure how much it might

> help my son. Andy tends to be VERY Social with people he knows and likes, but

> language wise struggles horribly. he is also VERY IFFY following directions

> unless he is very clear that the person giving the directions means what they

> say. This is especially true of my husband who Andy can drive NUTS! Bob will

> tell Andy to do something and Andy will just scream NO. Bob tells him again

> Andy says NO Louder. Bob won't try to figure out why he is refusing and has

> no idea how to get him to do what he wants him to do. Andy very rarely does

> this with me... and if he does we always work it through.

> I'd love your insight!

> Jan

[Guest guest]

I missed the original post on the topic, and how RDI got into the loop, but we

do RDI with our two sons, and WE LOVE IT!!

I have to second the comments about RDI being so much about changing parenting

style. Autism had turned me into a rigid, rote, imperative parent. It was

awful, and I didn't even realize it until RDI came into our lives.

I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our kids, but for a

Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative command that shuts

down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches mindful development.

I struggled a long time to insert declarative communications in our house, and

it has changed the dynamics of our entire household.

I think that it was Jan that mentioned the difficulties, and I can only say that

we go through that also, but we found that we have to be able to let go of the

" task/end " and work on the " means " - that is how these kids develop the

mindfulness to internalize these developmental functions.

I could go on and on about how RDI has changed our lives, even with my kids

being older (9 and 14). Sticking with RDI is really tough, and it takes a lot

of work by the parents, but I truly believe that it is the only therapy program

that will ensure my sons' longterm quality of life and the development of

mindful intelligence.

-------------- Original message --------------

From: " Miriam McCann " <miriammccann@...>

Hi Jan. Just wanted to add my two cents about RDI. I love RDI, and have been

working

with my HFA son for about two years now. One of the things I like about it is

that it

attempts to remediate developmental steps that our kids missed when they were

growing

up. Yes, the screaming " NO! " is so typical with all kids, haha. RDI focuses on

that

directly, in the " MA " relationship. " MA " stands for " master-apprentice "

relationship,

where kids (and really all ages) with autism learn to trust their parents for

important

information and guidance. You know, how typical kids when they're young, if

they're

faced with an uncertain situation, will reference their parent to see if

something is OK or

safe? RDI is very much about changing the parenting and family style and it

takes a lot of

work, but in my case the results are dramatic. Developing an " MA " relationship

is one of

the first steps you work on, and can be very very hard in the beginning. More

info can

be found at http://www.rdiconnect.com

Sorry if this was long or confusing. I LOVE the IPADD group and read all the

time, but I

don't post very often.

thanks,

Miriam McCann in Chicago

>

> Ellen are you using RDI with your adult son or daughter?

> If so what do you think?

> I LOVE RDI and their theories for young kids but not sure how much it might

> help my son. Andy tends to be VERY Social with people he knows and likes, but

> language wise struggles horribly. he is also VERY IFFY following directions

> unless he is very clear that the person giving the directions means what they

> say. This is especially true of my husband who Andy can drive NUTS! Bob will

> tell Andy to do something and Andy will just scream NO. Bob tells him again

> Andy says NO Louder. Bob won't try to figure out why he is refusing and has

> no idea how to get him to do what he wants him to do. Andy very rarely does

> this with me... and if he does we always work it through.

> I'd love your insight!

> Jan

[Guest guest]

Hi Jan. First I want to say I'm really not an expert in RDI, I'm still

learning all the time.

's great post touched much more on what it's all about, like " mindful "

intelligence,

how people with autism are much more secure with " static " systems that stay the

same all

the time, but since our world is so " dynamic " , we try and try to teach them that

uncertain

situations are OK. And that " imperative " statements are bad, eg, do this, do

that; while

short declarative statements are much better that comment on a situation.

My son is ten (very nearly 11). We were lucky enough to work with a consultant

while she

was in training, so since we were her " supervision case " she used to get

certified, we were

able to afford it. I agree it's very expensive. Which brings me to the

earlier question:

how to get RDI funding? As far as I know, insurance rarely covers the cost,

and those

that do have typically been in other states, not Illinois. But since it is

about changing your

family and parenting style, you will see that it's not at all like other

interventions, where

you take the student to an office, wait an hour for them to work, come home and

that's it.

You work with a consultant to change the way you do laundry, dishes, play games,

and

everything in order to include ALL members of your family.

An EXCELLENT group for those who are very interested in and actively

working with

RDI is the Mid-Atlantic group. If you search its message archives, you will

find many

discussions about funding, including insurance codes, some school districts

paying, etc.

RDI-Mid-Atlantic/

Also, the RDI " home office " in Houston has a short page about funding, and if

you sign up

for their new RDIos program, they have a message board just starting about how

families

find a way to pay for RDI consultant services.

http://www.rdiconnect.com/RDI/parent_funding.asp

I did attend a two-day intro workshop and found it exciting and motivating, but

also

expensive. An alternative is to view the 6-hour DVD they have available (some

libraries

have this to lend, also). If you're still with me, Jan, I would ask the

Mid-Atlantic

group about what folks in Rhode Island do for consultants. Many people do

long-distance

consulting, where they visit the consultant to do the initial evaluation and

program

planning, then communicate via email and videotapes.

Sorry again to be so long-winded, I promise to be quiet now about RDI. I

suggest folks

explore the rdiconnect website for a basic overview, and the Mid-Atlantic group

for some

excellent parent and consultant discussions about many various topics.

Happy Holidays!

Miriam

>

> thanks Miriam,

> I am debating whether or not to go to an RDI 2 day workshop in New Jersey

> although my husband is the one who desperately needs to go!

> DO you also work with an RDI consultant? We only have one that I know of in

> Massachusetts and zero in RI. (Not that I can afford a an RDI consultant.

> Plus we already have a wonderful autism consultant that we work with!)

> How old is your son?

> Jan

[Guest guest]

I absolutely believe that this is encouraged now for non-verbal children.

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Most of the people I know who are using RDI have very high functioning kids

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

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[Guest guest]

Do those of you who engage in RDI with their children have any idea whether this

is doable for families in which the individual with autism is non-verbal?

The workshop I attended a number of years ago did not encourage families with

non-verbal children.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: Re: RDI

I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our kids, but for a

Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative command that

shuts down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches mindful

development.

Hi

Boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more. It took me a while to understand

that " no " doesn't serve any purpose with kids with autism unless you are

talking about things that are always no (drinking poison, running in the road,

etc...)

Once we started showing Andy through a daily schedule WHEN he could do or

have things that were worrying him, we didn't have to say no you can't have a

cookie or no we can't go to Mcs. We just showed him when! Absolutely

amazing the difference in his behavior. He caught on real quickly and became a

different kid with this positive support

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Ellen

Thank you for asking this. My daughter is nonverbal and this method

sounds interesting.

My website: http://www.angelspeaks.com

My eBay: http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZangelspeaksproducts

>

> Do those of you who engage in RDI with their children have any idea

whether this is doable for families in which the individual with

autism is non-verbal?

> The workshop I attended a number of years ago did not encourage

families with non-verbal children.

> Ellen

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> Re: Re: RDI

>

>

> I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our

kids, but for a

> Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative

command that

> shuts down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches

mindful

> development.

> Hi

> Boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more. It took me a while to

understand

> that " no " doesn't serve any purpose with kids with autism unless

you are

> talking about things that are always no (drinking poison, running

in the road,

> etc...)

> Once we started showing Andy through a daily schedule WHEN he

could do or

> have things that were worrying him, we didn't have to say no you

can't have a

> cookie or no we can't go to Mcs. We just showed him when!

Absolutely

> amazing the difference in his behavior. He caught on real quickly

and became a

> different kid with this positive support

> Jan

>

> **************************************Check out AOL's list of

2007's hottest

> products.

> (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?

NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Ellen,

I can honestly say that I am very, very surprised to hear that anyone associated

with RDI or The Connections Center would discourage you just because your child

is non-verbal.

RDI is all about remediating the core deficits of autism in order to ensure the

highest quality of life possible for individuals with Autism. Dr. Gutstein, and

many others, consider autism a neurological processing disorder that effects

these core deficits; none of the these targeted core deficits being " expressive "

language.

In our RDI Program, because my boys are both verbal, we have had to discourage

expressive language, and limit it most of the time, to get to the RDI objectives

that we are working on.

I would be more than happy to talk to you more about it, but I would recommend

speaking to an RDI Certified Consultant.

As you may have heard, RDI has just converted to a new operating system, " RDI

OS " which incorporates RDI 6.0 objectives (parent and child) and the new RDI OS

which is a computer network that connects all RDI people in the world. On this

RDI OS are Webinars and Lessons, among many, many other things, that you can

watch on-line at your leisure - it is like being able to go to an RDI Conference

every week - hearing Dr. G talk is so motivating - this RDI OS is really going

to change the way our RDI Programs work, making us all connected to every other

RDI parent in the world! So I have been able to connect to other parents of

teens, or pre-teens, or " multiple ASD " , or whatever else. You could have direct

contact to other RDI parents of non-verbal children and/or adults.

As you can tell, I am so excited about RDI and the new OS, and the changes that

are underway. My point to you, and anyone else interested, is that there has

never been a better time to get started with RDI and have access to so many

teaching tools to help our children have the best possible life that they can.

Good luck to you!!

--------- Re: Re: RDI

I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our kids, but for a

Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative command that

shuts down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches mindful

development.

Hi

Boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more. It took me a while to understand

that " no " doesn't serve any purpose with kids with autism unless you are

talking about things that are always no (drinking poison, running in the road,

etc...)

Once we started showing Andy through a daily schedule WHEN he could do or

have things that were worrying him, we didn't have to say no you can't have a

cookie or no we can't go to Mcs. We just showed him when! Absolutely

amazing the difference in his behavior. He caught on real quickly and became a

different kid with this positive support

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

I was told that RDI was not appropriate for my son because he was TOO high

functioning. Any thoughts on this?

Lynn L. Gallagher

Galena Parent Advocates

" Helping parents help their children "

IPADDUnite

From: janneane7@...

Date: Fri, 30 Nov 2007 11:09:55 -0500

Subject: Re: Re: RDI

I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our kids,

but for a

Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative command that

shuts down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches mindful

development.

Hi

Boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more. It took me a while to understand

that " no " doesn't serve any purpose with kids with autism unless you are

talking about things that are always no (drinking poison, running in the road,

etc...)

Once we started showing Andy through a daily schedule WHEN he could do or

have things that were worrying him, we didn't have to say no you can't have a

cookie or no we can't go to Mcs. We just showed him when! Absolutely

amazing the difference in his behavior. He caught on real quickly and became a

different kid with this positive support

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Hi Ellen,

I think Pam , who works with Maureen Sweeny is doing RDI. I

don't really know

too much about it, but you could give her a call.

nne

On Nov 30, 2007, at 4:27 PM, Ellen Bronfeld wrote:

> Do those of you who engage in RDI with their children have any idea

> whether this is doable for families in which the individual with

> autism is non-verbal?

> The workshop I attended a number of years ago did not encourage

> families with non-verbal children.

> Ellen

> Ellen Garber Bronfeld

> egskb@...

> Re: Re: RDI

>

> I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our kids,

> but for a

> Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative

> command that

> shuts down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches

> mindful

> development.

> Hi

> Boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more. It took me a while to

> understand

> that " no " doesn't serve any purpose with kids with autism unless

> you are

> talking about things that are always no (drinking poison, running

> in the road,

> etc...)

> Once we started showing Andy through a daily schedule WHEN he could

> do or

> have things that were worrying him, we didn't have to say no you

> can't have a

> cookie or no we can't go to Mcs. We just showed him when!

> Absolutely

> amazing the difference in his behavior. He caught on real quickly

> and became a

> different kid with this positive support

> Jan

>

> **************************************Check out AOL's list of

> 2007's hottest

> products.

> (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?

> NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Good to hear!

Thanks.

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: Re: RDI

I absolutely believe that this is encouraged now for non-verbal children.

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Thank you, .

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: Re: RDI

I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our kids, but for a

Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative command that

shuts down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches mindful

development.

Hi

Boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more. It took me a while to understand

that " no " doesn't serve any purpose with kids with autism unless you are

talking about things that are always no (drinking poison, running in the road,

etc...)

Once we started showing Andy through a daily schedule WHEN he could do or

have things that were worrying him, we didn't have to say no you can't have a

cookie or no we can't go to Mcs. We just showed him when! Absolutely

amazing the difference in his behavior. He caught on real quickly and became a

different kid with this positive support

Jan

**************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest

products.

(http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

[Guest guest]

Carmen also does it...it is expensive, so, I will wait and see, when Noah gets

home-based funding if I can get it paid for with those dollars.

E

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: Re: RDI

>

> I am not suggesting that we don't use the word " no " with our kids,

> but for a

> Spectrum kid, " no " is not enough. " No " is just an imperative

> command that

> shuts down communications, disconnects engagement and squelches

> mindful

> development.

> Hi

> Boy oh boy I couldn't agree with you more. It took me a while to

> understand

> that " no " doesn't serve any purpose with kids with autism unless

> you are

> talking about things that are always no (drinking poison, running

> in the road,

> etc...)

> Once we started showing Andy through a daily schedule WHEN he could

> do or

> have things that were worrying him, we didn't have to say no you

> can't have a

> cookie or no we can't go to Mcs. We just showed him when!

> Absolutely

> amazing the difference in his behavior. He caught on real quickly

> and became a

> different kid with this positive support

> Jan

>

> **************************************Check out AOL's list of

> 2007's hottest

> products.

> (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?

> NCID=aoltop00030000000001)

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi there. I believe Maureen and Carmen's RDI practice has a significant

waiting list, but

there are other RDI consultants in Illinois. I noticed the following message

on the RDI-

Chicago message board posted November 13:

" Hi! My name is April and I am an RDI consultant in training in Dekalb,

Illinois. I am looking for a family to work with throughout my

supervision period. If interested, email me at apanknin@... "

see RDI-Chicago/message/238

She may have already found a family, but it might be a good lower-cost option

for

someone near DeKalb. Consultants in training are a good option, because their

work is

closely supervised and reviewed by the Connections Center in Houston. I know

the email

address is shortened above, you know how does it... but if you follow the

link, you

should be able to email her directly.

bye,

Miriam

>

> Carmen also does it...it is expensive, so, I will wait and see, when Noah gets

home-

based funding if I can get it paid for with those dollars.

[Guest guest]

If anyone hears of a trainee in the northern suburbs (I live in Northbrook), let

me know!

Ellen

Ellen Garber Bronfeld

egskb@...

Re: RDI

Hi there. I believe Maureen and Carmen's RDI practice has a significant

waiting list, but

there are other RDI consultants in Illinois. I noticed the following message

on the RDI-

Chicago message board posted November 13:

" Hi! My name is April and I am an RDI consultant in training in Dekalb,

Illinois. I am looking for a family to work with throughout my

supervision period. If interested, email me at apanknin@... "

see RDI-Chicago/message/238

She may have already found a family, but it might be a good lower-cost option

for

someone near DeKalb. Consultants in training are a good option, because their

work is

closely supervised and reviewed by the Connections Center in Houston. I know

the email

address is shortened above, you know how does it... but if you follow

the link, you

should be able to email her directly.

bye,

Miriam

>

> Carmen also does it...it is expensive, so, I will wait and see, when Noah

gets home-

based funding if I can get it paid for with those dollars.

[Guest guest]

Hello to all,

This is Ann in Jakarta Indonesia here. I really have enjoyed reading

your messages over the past couple of months. I have a son who is

4yrs old going on 5 and he was diagnosed with Asperger's in August.

Since we are overseas, our choices for therapies and interventions in

the English language have been limited. But, we have been doing a

distance therapy thing from Singapore using RDI. I just have to say

to everyone on this group that we have noticed a real change in our

son since we started this program. He looks at us, wants to play with

us, tantrums less and trusts us more. He is less frustrated and

really enjoys our company. He has begun to change his eating habits

and eats a wider variety of foods too. No joke! We cut out the TV

entirely and that really helped, because he was using shows to

perseverate and was refusing to interact with us. Choosing instead to

repeat movies over and over again. I feel that this was a blessing

being over here, because we had the opportunity to do this particular

therapy here. It originates from Houston,TX and they even have a

school in Houston and are opening one in LA I hear. Their website is

www.rdiconnect.com if you want to check it out. There are therapists

all over the US. It is an out of pocket thing and is not done in the

schools (I don't think). But, judging from what we have read, I feel

that with some studying, it can be done by the parent alone as well.

Have any of you done this RDI for a while? I'd like to hear what you

have to say about it if you have. Any questions for me and I'd be

happy to answer them.

Ann

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes, email me too, if you like - or phone 01792 875421

Sara

candicecbt wrote:

>

>

> Hi all,

>

> I am currently looking into RDI(Relationship Development Intervention)

> for my son and it is a little blurred at the moment. However, the

> readings do make a lot sense to me and it is working(!!) after trying

> out 2 activities.

>

> May I know who is also using RDI? Any success stoty or tips to share?

>

> Thanks,

> candice

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi , we have been doing RDI with our son since October last year. Its

taking time but we are starting to see improvements and are learning alot

ourselves. Our son is now more flexible when it comes to change and his eye

contact and connection with us is greatly improved. Here is the link for our

consult if you are in the UK.

http://www.thinkautism.co.uk/

Hope this helps,

>

> Hi all,

>

> I am currently looking into RDI(Relationship Development Intervention) for my

son and it is a little blurred at the moment. However, the readings do make a

lot sense to me and it is working(!!) after trying out 2 activities.

>

> May I know who is also using RDI? Any success stoty or tips to share?

>

> Thanks,

> candice

>

[Guest guest]

Thank you for all your encouraging reports!! Well done Elaine, I would really

like to meet your son, what an amazing work!! I am so happy for you and your

family

Yes, I have just joined the group and got in touch with a consultant

now!!! And got some ideas from watching a few Youtube clips. Really really

amazing parents!! (not sure if I am mentally ready for this RDI

parenting/lifestyle......but I will, it makes sense and my son is responding

already)!

Do you home educate your children? If not, how do you incorporate RDI in school

setting?

Thanks,

candice

> >>

> >>> Hi all,

> >>>

> >>> I am currently looking into RDI(Relationship Development

> >>> Intervention) for my son and it is a little blurred at the moment.

> >>> However, the readings do make a lot sense to me and it is working

> >>> (!!) after trying out 2 activities.

> >>>

> >>> May I know who is also using RDI? Any success stoty or tips to

> >>> share?

> >>>

> >>> Thanks,

> >>> candice

> >>>

> >>>

> >>>

> >>> ------------------------------------

> >>>

> >>> DISCLAIMER

> >>> No information contained in this post is to be construed as medical

> >>> advice. If you need medical advice, please seek it from a suitably

> >>> qualified practitioner.

> >>>

[Guest guest]

On 6 Jul 2009, at 22:39, candicecbt wrote:Thank you for all your encouraging reports!! Well done Elaine, I would really like to meet your son, what an amazing work!! I am so happy for you and your family >> thanks , tbh he's done so much himself and deserves most of the credit. I should point out that that night was just a snapshot, and although he's come along way he's still very autistic, with all the idiosyncrasies that it brings, but there is so much good stuff coming and I am sure this can be attributed to RDI, but also just to maturation. It's weird he asks me why I am doing everything now, it drives me mad sometimes, and then I have a chuckle when I think how much like a 'normal mum' I am now, getting frustrated with constant questioning - oh how I wished for that years back! The only thing he doesn't seem to want to know about is autism. I have books strewn all over the house on the subject, constantly looking up stuff on the computer (you know what it's like - LOL). I also work with a young girl with severe autism, and he asked me if I was taking some stuff in to school for her the other day - it was a joke book. I told him she wouldn't find it funny, and when he asked why I told him that she had severe autism and she wouldn't understand that joke book. He just looked at me and walked off - so there's definitely self realization going on, but he doesn't want to know about it - yet!Yes, I have just joined the group and got in touch with a consultant now!!! And got some ideas from watching a few Youtube clips. Really really amazing parents!! (not sure if I am mentally ready for this RDI parenting/lifestyle......but I will, it makes sense and my son is responding already)!>> I don't think it's realistic to do RDI ALL the time, set some time aside for it each day and try and incorporate what objectives you are working on as much as you can throughout the day. It's about slowing down your life really, spending time together just having fun has really helped in feeling much more 'connected' - well that's how I see RDI - some people may have different ways of doing it!Do you home educate your children? If not, how do you incorporate RDI in school setting?>> I flexi school, so get to spend time with him in the pm - and I am still working on parent objectives, so incorporating it in to the school is a way off. Zoe may be the best person to comment on that...Thanks,candice Hi all,I am currently looking into RDI(Relationship DevelopmentIntervention) for my son and it is a little blurred at the moment.However, the readings do make a lot sense to me and it is working(!!) after trying out 2 activities.May I know who is also using RDI? Any success stoty or tips to share?Thanks,candice------------------------------------DISCLAIMERNo information contained in this post is to be construed as medicaladvice. If you need medical advice, please seek it from a suitablyqualified practitioner.