RDI: Remediating the Core Deficits of Autism
By Maureen Mulvaney

We define our quality of life by our feelings of competence, relationships, and independence. The same quality of life is desired by people with autism. In order to achieve this we need to remediate the core deficits of autism instead of compensating for them. Give your child the ability not only to survive in a dynamic world but thrive in it!

RDI™ (Relationship Development Intervention) is geared to remediate these deficits. It is a home based program that works with both parents. The
main goal is to re-establish the relationship between parents and child. This relationship is knows as guided participation. In this interaction the parent
acts as a guide and the child is the apprentice. It’s not about compliance,
but about having a guide who will set limits, allow collaboration, and break
down a task into small steps so that the child can feel competent. It is
when the child feels competent that small challenges can be introduced in a
safe environment and relationship.

Some behavioral approaches might teach a child to “look at you” using discrete trials in order to teach the child eye contact. The RDI™ approach would be to show the child the importance of eye contact. A foundational skill would be that my gaze has meaning. In order to teach the child this we would break the objective down into smaller pieces. One could take three cups and hide a toy or chip under one of them. The guide would them look directly at a cup (first with her face right next to the cup) then later with just glancing with her eyes. Another way of showing the importance of eye contact would be to cut out all verbal communication. In place of this you would communicate using gestures, facial expressions, head nods, and exaggerated movements. You are then requiring your child to look and decode your language by observing instead of verbal direction. By doing this you are giving your child the tools to become an active learner and participant in life.

RDI™ was developed by Dr. Steven Gutstein and Dr. Rachelle Sheely in Houston, Texas. It is through certified consultants that a family is able to correctly implement the RDI lifestyle. If you would like more information about RDI you can visit their website at www.rdiconnect.com or contact Maureen Mulvaney (RDI™ Consultant-in Training) Maureen.RDI@gmail.com