A behavioral intervention that suits one child (or his/her parent) won't necessarily work for another. Many treatment centers now mix techniques from different approaches. One of the newest of these approaches developed just a few years ago is Relationship Development Intervention (RDI). The goal of the RDI® Program is to provide the majority of people on the autism spectrum with the potential to attain a true quality of life.
First Developed:
2001, by Steven E. Gutstein, a psychologist with experience in “traditional” (behavioral) approaches to autism treatment.
Overall Philosophy:
RDI is rooted in the belief that building dynamic intelligence competencies is the key to improving the quality of life of those with ASD. The program's core philosophy is that individuals with autism spectrum disorders can participate in authentic emotional relationships if they are exposed to them in a gradual, systematic way.
Popularity:
RDI’s website cites adoption of this procedure by thousands of families around the world, with dozens of clinicians in the the U.S., Canada, and Australia.
Time required for treatment:
Not determined
Treatment cost:
Not determined
Who directs the treatment:
RDI- Certified Consultants use information from the Relationship Development Assessment to develop clear, specific, developmentally appropriate treatment objectives and customized activities. Parents and other caregivers also participate.
Where does the treatment take place:
Home and other natural settings.
Training material needed:
Several workshops are offered where participants get a good background about the RDI. Program, plus learn the latest essential elements in starting an RDI. Lifestyle to benefit your entire family:
- how to adapt your communication style to bring about dramatic changes in relating;
- how to help develop a new type of memory to create motivation for genuine relationships;
- how to adapt everyday activities so you can use RDI Program concepts as a regular part of your daily life; and much more.
How success is defined:
The key to this intervention is targeting the capacity for social relatedness, which is often delayed to an infant or toddler level, even among very cognitively capable individuals on the autism spectrum. By providing the motivation to share experience, which can be accomplished only through the balance of predictability and novelty, symptoms of rigidity, need for sameness, and impaired communication are also addressed.
Biggest Success Story:
One study of RDI's effectiveness published in 2005 indicates that this approach, which addresses the dynamic intelligence deficit of people with autism, may be effective. When compared to a control group, children whose families had participated in RDI showed greater improvement on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule and greater increases in independent functioning in educational settings.
Website:
http://www.rdiconnect.com/
Main concern:
RDI may perhaps be an effective treatment method, however there is an apparent absence of empirical analyses to firmly vouch for its effectiveness for treating autism.