Relationship Development Intervention^®:

This clinic has adopted RDI ^® as a means of addressing the core deficit of Autism.     RDI ^® is a parent centered intervention.  It is neither a medical model nor an educational model.  It is unique in its quest to actually change the neural pathways through intensive therapeutic intervention.  RDI ^® is based on sound theoretical underpinnings as it utilizes a developmental model re emotional development. In addition, there are clear principles that are used consistently across all people teaching and implementing the intervention. The teaching within the program is carefully programmed to allow for the development of competence within the child. Through the development of competence, the greatest motivator an individual can have, the child is helped to learn to interact mindfully with his environment. Early research has shown positive results. 

As RDI ^® is a parent based model, the parents are offered direct consultations as well as video tape reviews to assist them through the process of guiding their children. Families meet with a consultant on varied schedules. Some families meet once a week, others meet biweekly, while others send in video tapes for review and visit once every few months because of distance.  The process begins with an in-depth assessment of relatedness skills and interaction patterns. .