RDIconnect® Blog
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The Face is the Window to the Soul
You know the old saying that the eyes are the window to the soul? Don’t believe it!
Avoid Overcompensating for Communication Issues
Often parents do most of the “work” in keeping the social exchange going.
Thinking Beyond Eye Contact: Part 1
In teaching children with ASD to visually reference, it is important to understand and respect why they may look away.
Dynamic Communication Tips
The more you prompt eye contact, the more you are taking away your database…
Humor as Communication
Jokes can be tricky, especially for a person on the spectrum.
Declarative Language
Children with ASD do not need language models that lead to the development of instrumental…
Using RDI for Non-Speaking Children with Profound Movement Disorder
What I have seen these children overcome speaks volumes…
Autism: Is Speech the Most Important Focus?
Speech is really just a symbol for what parents crave: communication that brings real connection.
There Are No Shortcuts
There are no shortcuts for guiding our children. Like you, we wish there were. But the functions and payoff of communication are well worth the effort and time they require.
Experience Sharing Communication
Reciprocal communication impacts a person’s ability to think, remember and relate.
Why we Focus on Communication
RDI’s Family Consultation Program work on building communication through many channels.
The Most Important Thing
“The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – P. Drucker
The Ultimate Goal of RDI
Our unique advantage is we can actually develop the mental processes of our children…
Recognizing Resiliency
By reflecting on these small successes, parents also build resiliency AND motivation to continue on their paths.
Helping Your Child to Learn to Solve Problems
Guides recognize that learning, and from there competence, comes with doing. It comes with struggling, thinking, failing and succeeding. Guides recognize their ability to make the most of regular ole’ interactions when they focus on spotlighting problems rather than solutions.
Answering a Child’s Questions about Autism
The main thing that makes Autism better is if we can teach your brain to work in a more connected way.
Making Decisions
Decisions like this are often made irrationally, only using the emotional aspect of the brain…
The Concept of Spotlighting
The aim is to encode a memory of being a competent decision maker…
The Joys of the Classic Paper Route
While he cannot tell me through speech that he feels proud of himself, it is clear to me from his actions…
RDI and Telehealth
Though house calls went out of favor years ago, they are experiencing a resurgence of sorts in the form of Telehealth…
Progress Made Because of RDI
Before we started on RDI, Nat was afraid of new environments.
Communicating Effectively with Extended Family
The holidays can be a time to show appreciation and give thanks…
Finding Moments of Joy this Holiday Season
RDI reminds us to plan for involving our children in these rituals, and helps us remember…
My Teenage Son
The following was shared by RDI mom, Bernadette Z. who works with consultant, Paulette Cormier I first met our RDI consultant when I was feeling somewhat lost with how to help my 16-year-old son...
Staying Regulated Amid Holiday Chaos
The holidays are such a special and enjoyable time of year, but they can also be incredibly stressful!
Holiday Gift Ideas and Activities for You and Your Autistic Child
Gift ideas for autistic children from Dr. Rachelle Sheely, founder of RDI®. And other creative activities to do with your child to celebrate the season!
Gratitude: an Antidote to Selfishness
Being thankful is not only relevant, but an antidote to selfishness that can foster resilience and empathy…
Autism and Vantage Resistance
Research is bringing additional vocabulary to our understanding of what is happening in the brains of persons with ASD…
Previewing and Planning for the Holiday Season
Trying to fit in too many special holiday events creates stress and can set off meltdowns for apprentices (and guides!).
Our Focus on Training Professionals
RDI is exploding around the world and we know we must keep up and adapt our training for different cultures and languages.
Developing the Brain through MindGuiding
Research tells us that the Guiding Relationship opens the door for learning!
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.
