spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

does anyone know anything about RDI?
Or anyone that actually does it and has success with it? i am interested in it for my son

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

I honestly don't know that much about it, although I have heard colleagues speak positively of it. In genreal, I am a proponent of treatments that promote social interactions and emotional connections, especially for children with Aspergers Disorder. I will see what else I can find out for you. I believe one of my colleagues has had some experience with it.

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

Actually my son does have aspergers! Does it work best with kids like this?

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

I have heard various things about it- at all levels. It definitely one intervention that has a predominant goal of "training"the child to generalize their rote social skills into everyday life.....Generalization being the main goal of teaching these children----- I am a big fan of discreet trials and ABA up to a certain extent, but the ability to generalize concepts is definitely a MAJOR aspect to have these children function socially and appropriately without the scripts......
I def think, as a parent, its something to look into, if you are willing to do the trainings and the research----and execute it properly...As a teacher, and not a parent, I see how frustrating it is for parents and how much you seek for answers, so I never extinguish a parents thrive for more info--I do however let them know that what works for one child doesnt always work for all and its worth the try to at least research it....I hope this helped---

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

my son has never had ABA so i don't really know that much about it. but my son has a very high IQ and fortunatly has always been able to mainstream into regular classrooms with minimal aide. He does however have a major social deficit and i am looking into almost anything that has proven success on any level to try. He's such a good kid and i just want to make sure i do everything right for him, it's hard not being the "expert" just the parent. thank you for your advice.

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

I think that it is certainly worth a try. How old is he?

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

I will def try to find out more info for you and let you know-----

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

I was just going to ask his age........

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

well he's almost 8 so maybe i missed the mark on RDI. Like i said though i am willing to try anything.

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

I say go for it----u never know........check out the website
rdiconnect.com
He sound like hes a great kid with so many positive aspects going for him-- you are truly blessed--To me, its worth it, even if you learn one or two things as a family and incorparate that into his social repertoire.....

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

i agree with this. Everything is worth a try! i see progress every year with him and this year he has made some leaps and bounds. i am so proud of him for overcoming some of lifes hardest hurdles at such a young age!

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

I went to a workshop by the guy who created the program a few years ago...it was pretty interesting and I used some of the techniques when I worked in a special ed. preschool. For higher functioning autistic children it definitely worked.

If he ever gives another workshop in the area it is worth going to see...he is a very interesting speaker.

I still have the book with the activities listed in it...

Let me know if you want me to copy/send you some of the activities...they are pretty self explanatory and easy to do.

Re: spinoff to those who work with kids on the autism spectrum...

I have used RDI with the kids I work with - not so much as a true "intervention" as I am a behaviorist, but for downtime to encourage developing joint attention and eye contact with communicative intent - FM me if you need info!