what is RDI?

RDI® Program is a family-centred, developmental program which offers remediation of child’s early milestones, which did not develop or were lost due to autism or other developmental issues.  RDI® provides parents with structure and opportunities to focus on developmentally sequenced objectives which can be successfully attained.  Those small successes lay the foundation for growing competence in more complex areas.   The major focus of RDI® Program is on the strengthening of relationship between the parent and the child and on giving parents confidence in their parenting skills.  

RDI® recognises autism as a dysfunction of dynamic thinking. Dynamic thinking is what you do (function), with what you know (skill), in the real world.  This is a core deficit of autism, universal to all individuals, regardless if they are “low” or “high functioning”.
Parents work closely with a consultant to develop guided engagement necessary to support their child’s learning and development.  RDI® does not focus on developing discrete, static skills but rather on developing conceptual and dynamic thinking skills. 

Parents are taught to be reflective in ongoing analysis of their child’s abilities and challenges, and be able to modify what they do and say, accordingly.  Parents are taught to keep their child at the optimal learning level by understanding their child's current level of ability. This is also achieved through the support structure (scaffolding techniques) that parents use to promote their child’s thinking and learning.

RDI® works systematically through the sequence of developmental stages to ensure that every child has the developmental foundations which will allow them to make cognitive discoveries and to move towards increased flexibility, motivation to learn from others, development of meaningful relationships (with parents, siblings, friends & partners), employment and “real” independence. These are the measurable areas that determine Quality of Life in adults.