What parents say about our 2-day Introductory Workshops

"I have to say that my heart is bursting with excitement to have learned so much I could start applying as soon as I went home.

It went to the core of my son's communication and social issues, his bossiness and overtalking and rule making. And Dr Gutstein validated so many of my own instincts about his issues, his education and the nature of autism. When your family tell you you're a bad mother for not throwing your child in the deep end of daycare and mainstream schooling to 'fix' up his issues, you start to doubt yourself. The graduated successes Dr Gutstein proposes make so much more sense. I don't feel like such an idiot. In fact, I'm sobbing with relief.

So many ABA people say that Dr Gutstein's approach is 'almost too simple'. That is because it is so central and obvious. However, therapists keep overlooking the obvious and complicating it or measuring things that don't matter. Worse, they and educators only measure the stuff that they themselves are willing to teach, not the child's key issues. Nor do they offer independent evaluation. It is so foolish to keep treating autism as a set of skills to learn instead of a series of experiences of success and graduated challenges in communication and trust.

I started this week a cautious skeptic and have ended it determined that nothing will get between us and RDI."

Jane Salmon (May, 2007 workshop)

"It was extremely motivating - I really feel like I have some common sense information that will change my child's life, as well as my family's life."

Betty Schaefer

"We've done a ton of therapy for quite some time now and my daughter has made slow, steady progress. But, I am excited about how and I could make a deeper connection that might be more than just a band-aid approach. This workshop gives me hope for how my daughter's life can be significantly impacted at the very core."

Jan Rogers

"It is the piece that (has) been missing in the approach to try and benefit kids for everyday life and not just in 'controlled' educational settings."

Dari Graham

"...Start to enjoy your child and not feel trapped by them."

Marianne Buettler

"Practical advice on how to be a good parent to any child... (RDI) focuses on the child rather than the disorder."

Linda Hayduk

"It will teach you to view autism in a whole new light. For me, it made a lot of sense and created a new understanding of the spectrum." Kim Rineer

"I would definitely recommend it as a way to make some connections with your child that are extremely important, but in an everyday, common sense approach."

Erin Felder

"(RDI) addresses relationships and quality of life, which is missing from the other therapies."

Marie Farrimond

"This workshop teaches a very systematic and practical way to develop in your child, the real skills they need to succeed."

Catherine Koetters

"It is the missing link. (RDI) is child-friendly and works on the root issues."

Cyndi Gerlach

"The workshop will validate your parenting and allow you to have fun with your child in a normal way. You don't need all that extra therapy."

Shareen Evans

"It is a must to attend; RDI makes sense and lets you be a parent. It is exciting to know your instincts are correct!"

Nancy Dodman

"...finally someone other than a parent (who) understands these are 'children' and not just people with autism."

Kerry Ayotte

"Yes, a very informative and exciting method...finally, something that works for all age groups."

Lorraine Cristofanetti

"Definitely! I've already started. I believe this is a critical piece of the autism puzzle, if not the cornerstone! ASD children need this foundation to maximize success in any other therapy or life event. This should be a REQUIRED seminar for people who work and live with the ASD population."

Julie Mathews

"The RDI approach uniquely addresses the core issues of autism neglected by more traditionally accepted methods. This protocol is practical, useable and livable."

Mary Maness-Oliver

"This workshop has helped me understand how I, as a parent, can really make a significant impact on my child's future success and happiness in life."

Ann McCollum

"Yes, the workshop was very informative and thought provoking."

Susan Mellanby

"It will shift your paradigm and empower you."

Linda Bozich

"This is something that can be applied to any situation or with other members of the family."

Alison and Don Telge

"The two-day workshop makes me want to go to a parent training workshop and do RDI with my son ASAP."

David Wyles

"The workshop will expose them to a new view and a new concept of treating autism which actually takes one to the heart of what autism is."

Michelle Wells

"Definitely, it is a very new and exciting idea for ASD."

Rachel Blach

"I would recommend this workshop. RDI is a methodology that every parent can implement in their daily lives."

Sue Fathi

"RDI would benefit all kids."

Sharlene Harris

"Yes, the program is practical and relatively easy to incorporate into daily life."

Sue Noble

"One of the few autism workshops I've gone to that makes sense and teaches things I can do anytime with my child."

Joan Caissie

"I would tell my friends that it is an awesome workshop that is finally trying to show us how to help our children."

Rebecca Brooks

"My friends have kids who haven't done too well or who are just starting out. I would say no matter what you've decided to do; this is what you NEED to do." Rebecca Llorens

"I would recommend it to a friend with children period, not just ASD children. This has been very informative on how to spend real effective time with your children to help them grow as children into young adults."

Brett Mathews

"Gives you hope to make real life changes for your child."

Susan Sapato

"Yes, an experience that can happen all through life not just 'the lab.'"

Jeff Swoboda