St. Louis, MO: Going to the Heart of Autism
August 8-9, 2008 (9:00am to 4:30pm)

Instructor:

Dr. Steven Gutstein

Location:

Saint Louis University
Busch Student Center
20 North Grand Blvd Room 170
Saint Louis, Missouri 63103

Overview:

Dr. Steve Gutstein dramatically illustrates the Relationship Development Intervention Program (RDI) via audience participation and hours of video taken from actual intervention sessions. 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 others. Language comes alive when integrated with real emotion.

People with Autism, Aspergers and NLD learn not only to tolerate, but to enjoy change, transition and to go with the flow. The goal of RDI is for each person to be excited about expanding their world, rather than to be afraid of it. Find out what motivates people on the autistic spectrum to develop relationships. Understand the contrasts between RDI and social skills programs that emphasize socially acceptable behaviors but fail to develop the functions, the desire or reasons, essential to the formation of relationships. RDI is rich in non-social objectives, including: flexible thinking, rapid attention shifting, executive functioning and emotional regulation. These objectives are easily translated into specific IEP objectives.

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

Topics:

Goals:

What will the workshop cover?

*Research results on the quality of life for people on the autism spectrum

*The developmental path unique to people on the spectrum: including the concepts of absolute vs. relative thinking, imperative vs. declarative communications, and more...

*The basic principles of RDI: Guiding and Pacing, creating an Experience-Sharing communication environment, capturing episodic memories, choosing simple settings, teaching Functions before Skills, determining developmental readiness, and developing competence

*Video clips of 'RDI in action' with parents and children and clips from the first two years in the life of a child with autism

*The essential elements of a RDI lifestyle

*The importance of frameworks and of the concepts of evolving and modifying frameworks

*The advantages and the processes of forming dyads and small groups

*Research on the effectiveness of RDI

*RDI with teenagers

*RDI implementation in school settings

We asked recent workshop attendees if they would recommend this workshop and they said:

"Yes, every professional needs to learn more about effectively working with children with autism." -Charla Hutchinson, ABA Consultant

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

"Yes, strongly recommended. I say it is the missing piece." -Deborah McFarland, Behavior Consultant

"A different prospective, a lot to learn, but will possibly change your life."-Amy English, Parent

"Absolutely. It is a must." -Lori Celaya, Teacher, Occupational Therapist

"Yes. good practical approach. Makes sense and fills the hole of current approaches." -Lisa Banker, Physician.

"Yes. Practical advice on how to be a good parent to any child ...focus on the child rather than the disorder." -Linda Hayduk, Parent

"I'd say to the psychologist on my team, 'You need to take a look into this -it is a great extension of what you're doing and you are going to really like this format.'" -Jennie Robertson, Speech Language Pathologist

"Yes, I would recommend this workshop. RDI is a methodology that every parent can implement in their daily lives." -Sue Fathi, Parent

"Yes. It is presented as a novel and exciting addition to therapies currently implemented. -C. Mafferty, Teacher

Agenda:

Schedule is the same for both days of the workshop

8:00 am to 9:00 am Check-in

9:00 am to 10:30 am General Session

10:30 am to 10:45 am Brief Morning Break

10:45 am to 12:00 pm General Session

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm Lunch

1:30 pm to 2:30 pm General Session

2:30 pm to 2:45 pm Brief Afternoon Break

2:45 pm to 4:00 pm General Session

4:30 pm Adjourn

Continuing Education:

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA): Connections Center is approved by the Continuing Education Board of the American Speech-Language- Hearing Association (ASHA) to provide continuing education activities in speech-language pathology and audiology. This program is offered for 1.1 CEUs (Introductory level; Professional area). ASHA CE Provider approval does not imply endorsement of course content, specific products, or clinical procedures.

Cost:

Registration:

Register online or contact Ana Lorena Hermosilla at 2DayIntroWorkshop@rdiconnect.com or call (713) 838-1362 x 130 for more information.

Early Bird Registration (Now to 6/26/08 by 5:00pm CST): $250 per person

Regular Registration (6/27/08-7/14/08 by 5:00pm CST): $275 per person

Late Registration (7/15/08-8/4/08 by 5:00pm CST): $300 per person

Walk-in Registrations (Only on 8/8/08): $300 per person if space is available.



**Important Deadlines**
Cancellations will be accepted up to and including July 14, 2008, less a $50 per person administration fee. No refunds for cancellations after the deadline. Please note that the deadline for online, fax-in, and mail-in registration is Monday August 4, 2008. After Monday August 4, registrations will only be accepted at the door on Friday August 8, 2008.

For more information:

Please contact Ana Lorena Hermosilla
Email: 2DayIntroWorkshop@rdiconnect.com
Phone: (713) 838-1362 x 130
Website: