RDIconnect
Through its innovative Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Program, RDIconnect gained a worldwide reputation for designing family-based programs. Currently, RDIconnect provides programs for an entire range of developmental difficulties.

Forging New Pathways

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Forging New Pathways

Learning from Each Other

This blog focuses on parents, professionals, families and relationships. Humorous and informative it provides an additional outlook on the day-to-day lessons and wisdom we learn from each other as well as reflective insight into the RDIconnect Programs. Forging New Pathways publishes content submitted by RDI Consultants and the families who work with them. Moderated by RDI Consultant, Lisa Palasti.

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  • RDI Rocks! A Story from a Proud RDI Dad

    RDI Constultant, Prue Watson, shares the following true story submitted from a family she works with using RDI. It was used with permission and with names changed. Prue Watson lives in Australia and has been an RDI Certified Consultant since 2007. "Just so you can understand just how WOW this is....our little 6 yr old boy has had extreme social anxiety (he has slept with us every night of his life because of his fear) and could be quite controlling of those around him...
    Published 1 Feb 2012 8:15 AM

  • I Am Not Afraid to Fail: Life lessons from RDI by Michelle Tham

    Guest author, Michelle Tham lives and works in Singapore. She graciously shares with us some life lessons she has learned along the way in her RDI journey. * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * "Man's mind, once stretched by a new idea, never regains its original dimensions." ~ Oliver Wendell Holmes As I read the quote above, I think about the top ideas in...

  • The Power Of Keeping It Slow And Simple by Carol Subramani

    This weeks guest author, Carol Subramani, continues her "Power" series and discusses the power of slowing down. You're also in for a real treat because she shares a video example to illustrate this point as well. Grab a cup of coffee or tea and enjoy! “It’s fine to pause and use gestures – but how do you do it with a child who is constantly on the move, impulsive and will not wait long enough to notice?” The Mum you see in the clip asked...

  • Using Declarative Language with Children on the Autism Spectrum

    Our guest author this week is Linda Murphy, Certified RDI program Consultant and Speech and Language Pathologist, talks about the "why bother" behind using experience sharing declarative language with children on the Autism Spectrum. Be sure to share this article with anyone who may have an impact on your child. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Declarative language , plain and simple, is stating out loud what one knows or thinks in the form of a comment. It may...

  • The Power of Experience Sharing Communication or How a Teenager Began Combing his Hair

    This week's blog features RDI Consultant, Carol Subramani from Mumbai as she talks about the importance of Experience Sharing Communication. "You look really handsome in this photograph", Sara nonchalantly commented as they viewed family photos from their last vacation. "I'm setting it as my desktop background" Her son stops and looks on as she pauses and sits back in her chair admiring the picture. Nothing more is said and she slowly moves on...
    Published 5 Dec 2011 1:31 PM

  • Spotlight the Problem, Not the Solution by Lauren Wilson

    Lauren Wilson, this weeks guest author, helps to illustrate how parents and individuals working with children with autism or other neurodevelopmental challenges can help children learn to THINK. You will enjoy this article if you want to learn how to stop being a "thinking robber" and become a more mindful effective thinking guide. Being an effective guide is ninety five percent mindset and five percent of what you actually do. Our mindset and point of view are...
    Published 6 Nov 2011 8:22 AM

  • Dynamic Communication

    This week’s Blog is by Mariko Ortner who is from Japan and currently lives in the United States. In my last blog I talked about the challenges that adults with autism face. It is important to think about the big picture and quality of life. In this blog, I give examples of how to work on dynamic communication and how to build up a child’s competency so they can overcome obstacles. 先日のブログでは、自閉症の子供達は、大きくなっていくこと、そして自閉症を抱える青年達の厳しい現実について書きました。その現実から明らかになって来た課題は、 １...

  • Building Pathways Through RDI by Tara Moffat

    Welcome to this weeks blog by our guest author Tara Moffat. Tara will share her personal journey in improving the quality of lives of those she works with using RDI strategies and theory. Get ready for a big dose of inspiration and hope! Not only have I seen one child not meet the ASD (autism spectrum disorder) criteria, I have seen several. How was this accomplished, and how can you start reaching for a better quality of life for your child? For my clients, it simply began...
    Published 6 Oct 2011 8:14 PM

  • Episodic Memory and Children with ASD - Part 3

    Linda Murphy, this week's guest author, continues with the third part of her series on episodic memory. Please read, enjoy and come back next week for the final piece of her 4 part series. To read part 1, click here and to read part 2, click here . Any time we are faced with a difficult situation, or if something keeps us from doing what we are planning to do, we come to a crossroads. We think: What should I do next? What are my choices? How does one option compare to...
    Published 7 Sep 2011 2:35 PM

  • RDI® Improves the Ability to Develop Friendships

    The Autism File Magazine has named RDI® as one of their top ten tips for making friends! Access the article by clicking here .

  • Episodic Memory and Children with ASD - Part 1

    This week's guest author is Certified RDI Consultant, Linda Murphy who will be sharing a four- part series on Episodic Memory and how it effects individuals with autism spectrum disorders. We hope you enjoy this series and remember to log back in next week to read part two. Memory is important for everyone in terms of learning, growing and managing more complex social and emotional situations in life. We use our memories to build and strengthen relationships, to reflect...

  • The Pause That Makes All The Difference by Carol Subramani, RDI Program Certified Consultant

    Carol Subramani shares with us the power of the pause. Carol helps us understand why something as simple as a pause can have such amazing results and meaning. This blog reminds me of something that Dr. Steven Gutstein, the founder of RDI, once told me. He said "when in doubt about what to do, do nothing". He was telling me to pause, to slow down and think about my next actions. He was also giving me permission to just "be" with my children and with the...

  • The RDI program for Adults (Japanese Version)

    This blog comes from Mariko Ortner who is from Japan and currently lives in the US. It’s about adults with autism who still struggle in the world and how RDI gives them tools to live successfully. 最近、大人の自閉症の生活実態についての研究文書をいくつか読みました。研究は、アメリカ、スウェーデン、イギリス、スイス、オーストラリアまた日本などで、それぞれ、行われたものでした。ほとんどの研究は２０００年以降に行われたもので、新しいものです。 Dr.Gutstein の講演に、もうすぐ１０年前くらいになると思うのですが、ポートランドで初めて出席した時、先生は１９９０年代の研究の結果を紹介されました。その結果はとても悲しいもので、私はショックを受けました。高機能の自閉症であっても、ほとんどの人は職を持てず、友人もいない、という状況でした。それでは...
    Published 1 Aug 2011 9:17 AM

  • Episodic Memory and Children with ASD - Part 4

    This is the last blog in a 4- part series on Episodic Memory. Special thanks goes to Linda Murphy for graciously sharing this with everyone. To read parts 1-3 of this series, please click here . As discussed in previous articles, episodic memory is the story we create about ourselves over time. We may use this story to share ourselves with others or we may use this story to form a plan of action when faced with a problem. We need our memories to assign meaning to events in...

  • Episodic Memory and Children with ASD - part 2

    Guest author, Linda Murphy, continues with part two of her series on one of the core deficits of autism - episodic memory. To read part one, click here . In a previous article, the critical role that episodic memory plays in life and in developing social relationships was discussed. The second part in this series will discuss how to help your child develop and use episodic memories for the purpose of experience sharing. One of the biggest shifts that social partners need...
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