RDI is a parent-based treatment program for individuals with ASD. Parents are educated about the core problems associated with ASD like inability to empathize with others, rigid thinking and aversion to change

The goals of RDI are to increase quality of life for individuals with ASD by increasing the quality of their relationships and social experiences. Goals of the RDI program include, independent living, employment, and intimate friendships and family relationships. The RDI program was designed by Dr. Steven Gutstein with Dr. Rachelle Sheely and introduced in 2001.

The program targets six areas for which a typical ASD individual may have difficulty. Autism Speaks describes the target areas, also called dynamic intelligence, as follows:

Emotional Referencing: The ability to use an emotional feedback system to learn from the subjective experiences of others.

Social Coordination: The ability to observe and continually regulate one's behavior in order to participate in spontaneous relationships involving collaboration and exchange of emotions.

Declarative Language: Using language and non-verbal communication to express curiosity, invite others to interact, share perceptions and feelings and coordinate your actions with others.

Flexible thinking: The ability to rapidly adapt, change strategies and alter plans based upon changing circumstances.

Relational Information Processing: The ability to obtain meaning based upon the larger context. Solving problems that have no "right-and-wrong" solutions. Foresight and Hindsight: The ability to reflect on past experiences and anticipate potential future scenarios in a productive manner.

A main tenet of the RDI program is to educate parents to teach their children skills to build relationships which in turn will increase the quality of life of the person living with ASD and those associated with the individual; parents, caretakers, family members, friends. Parents are encouraged to participate in a two day introductory workshop to see if RDI is a treatment of interest to them. If parents want to move forward they attend a four day seminar for RDI training and learn ways to incorporate the principles they learn into daily routines at home. Families that remain in the program will receive guidance from an RDI Program Certified Consultant. Parents are encouraged to administer and participate in at least 5-6 hours of controlled intervention time every week. However, the RDI program encourages families to embrace the “RDI lifestyle” on an everyday, ongoing basis. Parents use videotape to film RDI techniques and interactions with the ASD individual, which the program consultant will review. Consultants will critique what they see in the videos and offer alternative strategies and guidance. Parents regularly meet with their consultant every 6 months for additional intervention techniques and strategies.

Reported strengths/benefits of RDI

1. According to RDI Connections over 70% of participants in their initial study improved their diagnosis based on the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS) and during follow-up testing administered within 18 months over 50% of the RDI group scored in the Non-Autism category. You may download a copy of the study reporting the aforementioned findings at www.rdiconnect.com/download
2. The RDI program acknowledges that many individuals with ASD will continue to need sensory integration therapy, and/or other intervention such as speech and language therapy.
3. Some have seen an increase in their child’s social relationships as claimed by the RDI program.

Reported weaknesses/limitations of RDI

1. Time and cost of traveling to workshops depending on where the family lives and the location of the RDI consultant you are working with.
2.  It is a relatively new program, introduced in 2001, and more research needs and is being performed in order to truly understand the effectiveness of this treatment approach.

Cost

An RDI spokesperson (Rachelle K. Sheely, PhD) stated the cost of treatment would vary depending on the consultant with whom the family is working with. RDI Connections is not a franchise, they train consultants but do not track consultant charges. The RDI spokesperson’s estimate was that it would always be less than $20,000 a year and probably closer to $10,000 with some consultants. You may contact a consultant directly to discuss cost. Consultants are listed at: http://www.rdiconnect.com/RDI/consultants.asp

References

Autism Speaks, It’s Time to Listen. Treatments for Autism. Retrieved April, 1 2006, from http://www.autismspeaks.org/whattodo/index.php#rdi

Relationship Development Intervention, What to expect from the RDI Program. Retrieved March 26, 2006, from http://www.connectionscenter.com/RDI/RDIresults.asp

DeAngelo, Laura. The Relationship Development Intervention Program: DVD Review and Other Resources. Retrieved April 1, 2006, from http://www.ctfeat.org/RDI_Review.htm

You may contact the RDI Connections Center with specific questions. See http://www.connectionscenter.com/about/contact.asp.

Other Web resources relating to RDI

http://www.rdiconnect.com/default.asp http://www.ctfeat.org/RDI_Review.htm http://www.answers.com/topic/relationship-development-intervention http://www.kidspeech.com/index.php?page=119 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relationship_Development_Intervention http://www.autismlink.com/info/RDI.php http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=23153