Introduction to RDI

Keep in mind the following is as I understand it right now... there may (almost definitely will) be updates as I gain a greater understanding.

RDI In A Nutshell

So what is RDI?  Relationship Development Intervention is a process for remediating (or correcting, lessening) the core deficits of autism.  RDI does this by focusing on (not surprisingly) relationships.

The basic idea is that autistic people tend to be afraid of social interaction because they are uncomfortable with changing situations.  Because of the way their brains have developed, the world is a particularly frightening place.  Like anyone, they try to make sense of their surroundings by finding patterns.  So when they find something that works, they tend to do it over and over.  It is positively reinforced because it's successful.  The problem is that they get into very rigid patterns.  So that if something goes just a little wrong, they become unable to deal with it.

This difficulty with changing ("dynamic" in the jargon of RDI) situations is considered to be key to the core deficits of autism, and what distinguishes it as a disorder.

Unlike "neurotypical" children, there is a breakdown somewhere and so the autistic child fails to build on these basic social skills, which has a snowball affect in hampering their development.  RDI researchers have looked at all the skills that a normal child picks up naturally, and break them down so that your autistic child can learn them as well.  The idea is to slowly introduce the challenge that causes them to think, but is within their ability to handle.  Doing this builds confidence in themselves and eventually they will be more okay with change.

Basically, IBI focuses more on "book smarts" skills, skills that would allow you to function in a classroom.  RDI focuses more on social skills and "street smarts".

No Deviant Parenting Here!

So we met with our RDI consultant and she was quite personable.  She set up a camera and had us play with Fox for a bit while she taped it, which was a little disconcerting at first.  Afterward we met with her and she assured us that we have not picked up any deviant parenting.  This can apparently affect parents of children on the spectrum, where they have been trying and failing to engage their children for so long, that they pick up bad habits.  Luckily we're new enough at this that their hasn't been time for any of those to form :)

A Little Behind

So I haven't updated in a long time. By now we've had several meetings with our consultant, we've gone through a lot of the parent training (as RDI is a parent directed program) and we've done some work on child objectives.  More on this to come.