In just a few weeks, RDI will be going to Mumbai, India to deliver a 2-Day Workshop (November 21-22, 2009) to parents and professionals. In the spirit of our latest trek across the globe, Hannah Gutstein interviewed Kamini Lakhani, an RDI Program parent, RDI Program Consultant and the organizer for the event!

Q: Please introduce us to you, your family and your children. 

A: My name is Kamini Lakhani. My husband, Anil and I live in Mumbai India with our son Mohit and daughter Tanya. Tanya is 18 and Mohit, our first-born, is now 20 and has Autism. Mohit has been my biggest teacher. When he was diagnosed at age 3 we were living in South Korea. I remember traveling to the United States every year to learn more about Autism so that I could help my son. We tried almost everything that we felt would help him. Diet, supplements, chelation, sensory integration, secretin, swimming with dolphins, auditory integration training and so on and so forth. In the process, I studied ABA and became a BCABA. By this time we had moved back to India and started a center for students who have ASD known as Support for Autistic Individuals (SAI). At present we provide services to about 40 children. We have 25 teachers on board.


Q: How did you find out about RDI? What led you to research/pursue this remediation program?

A: We discovered RDI through close family friends (Shanta and Venkat) who were already involved in the RDI Program. I attended a 2-Day Workshop conducted by Maisie Soetantyo in Malaysia (about 5 years ago). Initially, I didn’t quite understand RDI at that time, but there was something to it and I kept going back for more. Subsequently, Anil and I attended a 4-Day Workshop conducted by Dr. Gutstein in Houston, after which we decided to work with a consultant. SinceJoyce Albu was traveling to India to consult with families’ here, we decided to consult with her. I believe that this was the best decision we made, as RDI has changed our lives. Seeing the changes in my own son encouraged me to study RDI professionally and become a Certified RDI Consultant.


Q: When did you first feel like something different was happening with your child?

A: We realized that something different was happening during the first week of implementing RDI. Mohit was 17 at this time; his head was down perpetually and he was always bent over. In the first few sessions of implementing simple frameworks, such as passing a ball around, he started looking around, sitting up straight trying to understand his role. This was our first lesson in understanding the importance of non-verbal communication.


Q: What was the biggest breakthrough that encouraged you?

A: We started RDI when Mohit was 17. By this time, he had quite a repertoire of skills that we had accumulated using ABA techniques. I am thankful that we had this to start with. However, meaningfulness and understanding of situations and relationships has come through RDI. Things finally seem to be coming together for us. We see a young man who is developing a sense of humor, a sense of self; this is the breakthrough that has encouraged us. We’re greedy for more.

Q: What do you hope the India 2-Day Workshop will accomplish?

A: Our aim is for more people to know about RDI. Many have heard about RDI but they do not understand what it actually is. Who can explain RDI better than Dr. Gutstein and Dr. Sheely? We hope to create a lot more awareness about RDI. For many people in and around India. It may be difficult to travel to the US to attend an RDI workshop. Here is their chance! We want people to take advantage of this and educate themselves.

Q: How is the RDI Program influencing Indian families?

A: People who are involved in the RDI Program understand that they as guides can make a major difference to their child’s life. They feel a sense of competence as parents. RDI has empowered them and given them hope. Their lives have become more meaningful. They feel a sense of bonding with their children. These are some of the things that my RDI families have mentioned. 

Q: What are some of your daily RDI Program realities like?

A: Our RDI realities include doing many chores together, playing games, going for walks etc. Togetherness is the key. Life for us as a family has much more meaning. We have learnt to talk less but communicate more. It has made us more disciplined. The time that we need to spend with Mohit is pre planned and we try to stick to our schedules. We no longer live our lives at a fast and furious speed. We try to give Mohit a role in what ever we do. We’ve become more mindful and thoughtful. We enjoy a much more fulfilling relationship with our son, with him taking real responsibility. We still have a long way to go, but we are getting there slowly but surely.



"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."- Confucius

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MUMBAI, INDIA

Sponsored by: Support for Autistic Individuals (SAI)

Topic: The RDI Program for ASD (The first ever in India!)

Speakers: Dr. Steve Gutstein and Dr. Rachelle Sheely.

Date: Saturday, Nov 21 – Sunday, Nov 22, 2009

Place: Mumbai Cricket Association Indoor Cricket Academy and Recreation Centre, (MCA Club) RG-2, G – Block, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra E, Mumbai, India 400 051

Description: RDI Introductory Conference: Dr. Steve Gutstein dramatically illustrates the Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Program. As he guides you through a new way of thinking, you will discover a path for how people on the autism spectrum can develop friendships, empathy and the love of sharing their world with other

Who Should Attend? If you are a family member, a professional who works with people on the autism spectrum, a researcher or educator you can gain new insight from attending this two day workshop.

EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT AVAILABLE! See website for details: www.rdiindiaconference.com/registration.htm

REGISTRATION: Contact : Support for Autistic Individuals, Tel : 022-26611237 / 26612059. Contact Person : Devyani / Varsha, or send email, saischool@ymail.com.

OR REGISTER ONLINE www.rdiindiaconference.com/registration.htm

For more conference details: www.rdiindiaconference.com/attend.htm

Certificates of attendance will be awarded to all attendees.

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For more details about our upcoming workshop in HANOI, VIETNAM read The RDI Program Goes to Vietnam and India. 

Sponsored by: The Hanoi Club of Parents with Children on the Autism Spectrum

Topic: “Relationship Development Intervention – New Paradigms for Autism Intervention”

Speaker: Dr. Steven Gutstein, Founder of the RDI Program, and RDIconnect in the US

Date and time: November 14-15, 2009 (9:00 am to 4:00 pm each day)

Place: Hanoi, Vietnam (Specific venue to be confirmed to those who register)