RDIconnect® Blog
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Growth-Promoting Mental Challenge
Challenge requires that we stretch our mental processing beyond our typically functioning, and this is what causes brain growth.
RDI: The Power of Relationship Skills Over Social Skills
Relationships teach us about multiple perspectives & show us that there is more than one right way of thinking, feeling, solving a problem, and behaving.
A Relationship with My Daughter
A long time ago, Anna never said or called me mom. Now I can happily say, there is not a day that goes by that I do not hear her call me mom.
Episodic Memory – Part 4
As children form relationships with their peers, they use their episodic memory to create stories of developing friendships as well as narratives of themselves as desirable play partners. Early on in peer interactions, all children are concerned with the immediate gratification that comes from events such as going first, playing what they want to play, winning a game and using a toy when they want to use it. However, as children get practice in the realm of peer dynamics, they come to observe unwritten rules and subtle yet ever present patterns.
MindGuiding: Stretching the Boundaries of Our Growth
One of the vital things that parents do in the guiding relationship is to guide children in how to engage challenge in a productive manner…
Dr. Gutstein and the Latest Autism Research
New research is bringing additional vocabulary to our understanding of what is happening in the brains of persons born with ASD
The First Day of Autumn
There is a poetry to autumn that many of us addicted to screen time have ceased to enjoy.
Quality Over Quantity
Many children never learn to feel pride in the quality of their work they focus on getting things “over with”, producing quantity or getting a certain grade.
One Guy’s Opinion: What it feels like to have autism as an adult
Ever wondered what it feels like to have autism? One guy shares his opinion on what it feels like to have autism as an adult.
Meaning-Based Learning with RDI
Creating meaning is crucial and lessons should have a sharpness, clarity and immediacy for the student.
Family mapping
I am reminded that the essence of RDI is to make us more successful humans…
RDI Program and the Power of Pausing
A pause in the right place at the right time gives your child time to breathe, time to consider, time to process, understand or summarize what’s been said, and time to prepare for what may be coming next
ADHD Behavior Management: From Control to Regulation
Behavior management is a critical part of any successful classroom. The following are some tips for successful behavior management.
RDI Program for Adults
I think that is where my stumbling block lies …preparing the proper time and space for successful work.
Family Adventures
In RDI we coach parents to include their ASD child in meaningful opportunities where both parent and child collaborate not only in ‘doing’ things together.
The Classroom: A clear but flexible structure
The second foundation of a successful educational program for the AD/HD student is the way in which the classroom is structured.
Real RDI® Success Story – Prince George County Public Schools
Continuing our series on education as the school year begins, we focus on RDI™ in the Prince George’s County Public Schools
Scientist’s Conclusions Affirm RDI®’s Approach
This scientist’s suggestions about how to treat ASD children that are consistent with what we do in RDI.
Making School AD/HD Friendly
We can create classrooms that excite children with AD/HD. We can construct environments that are stimulating and dynamic without being chaotic and uncontrolled. We can have clear rules and consequences and still overlook some fidgeting and moving around.
Homeschooling With Autism
I’ve homeschooled my son for most of his life. I know the challenges of getting organized and meeting goals in the school. I hope these tips will help you.
Making Your Classroom Accessible to All Students
If you want to minimize distractions in your classroom, but don’t know where to start, here are some ideas..
Gaining Independence
Read one young autistic man’s speech about how he found independence in his life and how RDI® helped.
An Art Lesson For Everyone
An example art lesson that you can use with your students!
Elevator Speeches: Explaining RDI® in Simple Language
Do you ever feel you have trouble explaining RDI concisely and simply? Here are a few elevator speeches from RDI consultants that they use when they need to describe our programs in a hurry.
A Different Kind of Autism Journey: By LorRainne Jones
RDI is life altering and not just for children with autism and their families.
RDI® Consultant Training FAQ’s
Along with our amazing and supportive professional community, we are here to help you every step of the way and beyond.
The Importance of Consultants
An important feature of RDI® is the consultant training program. However, this was not in place in the beginning and families who wanted to learn to guide their children would come to Houston, overnight videos back and forth and often fly in to our offices for training. A question Dr. Gutstein and I asked early on was whether RDI® could be replicated through other professionals with the same success we were having. Following is a young boy’s recounting of his family’s work with their consultant, Dema Stout. As you watch this, you will see that the answer to our question was “yes.”
68 Activities to Do with Your Child
Looking for RDI activities? Look no further!
Learning vs Thinking
We are capable of learning many things but our knowledge will mean very little unless we are prepared to utilize it. It is not to say that learning is not important – only that it’s only useful if you are a thinker!
A Brief Introduction to Guiding
There is one parenting activity that is performed in every culture on earth and that appears critical Dynamic Intelligence
Key Elements of the RDI Model: 4
RDI Programs try to maintain a healthy balance between real-world application and ongoing development. Learn the key elements of RDI here.
Key Elements of The RDI Model: 3
RDI Programs try to maintain a healthy balance between real-world application and ongoing development. Learn the key elements of RDI here.
Dr. Gutstein Explains the Key Elements of RDI®
These concepts can be used to help your child’s learning, growth and neural, social and intellectual development and are the core of the RDI® program.
Experience Based Learning
This is the first in a series of posts about the key elements of the RDI model
What Kind of Guide Are You? Part 5
Whenever we guide, we address the goal beneath the goal.
Dynamic vs Static Intelligence
Check out the difference between static and dynamic intelligence…
What Kind of Guide Are You? Part 4
While guiding does not negate the importance of instruction, it recognizes that good guiding is more than covering content.
New Research supporting RDA in Clinical Practice
Recent studies explore the Relationship Development Assessment in clinical practice
What Kind of Guide Are You? Part 3
To continue our series on guiding, one of our consultants shares the difference between a good and a bad guide she has had in her life.
What Kind of Guide are You? Part 2
Guiding is a side by side ‘let’s take this journey together’ approach…
An RDI Approach to Speech Therapy
When we care for people with brain injuries…
Why Failure and Why Creativity
To end our series on the importance of failure in the development of creativity, Dr. Rachelle Sheely talks about how RDI facilitates an environment for this.
Teaching Social Skills with RDI®
Unlike other therapies, RDI® encourages parents to teach their children social skills not to make others comfortable, but to set the foundation for success in life. It’s more about the “why” behind social communication, rather that the “what.”
Cutting Edge Autism Research
Dr. Steven Gutstein presents cutting edge research on the neurology of autism. Learn all about it here.
How RDI Changed our Lives
RDI has changed the lives of hundreds of families dealing with autism. Hear the story of Sharon, one mom who trusted RDI to help her daughter.