Relationship Development Intervention is an individually designed, intensive program that seeks to remediate what we call the "core deficits" of ASD - those unique behaviors and limitations that make autistic children autistic. The limited and stilted language, the inability to connect with other people, the rigid "black and white" thinking, the fixation on certain topics and the failure to empathize and understand other people's perspectives.

"With RDI, the curriculum is specifically tailored for your child."

The program begins with a comprehensive and detailed evaluation of your child. This Relationship Development Assessment - or RDA - evaluation will give us a detailed map of your child's needs and strengths. Autistic spectrum disorder manifests itself differently in each person. Some people have fluid language but the only subject they care to discuss is license plate numbers. Others can spend hour upon hour staring out the window, yet they also enjoy playing games and being cuddled by their parents. Some make sustained eye contact but are terrified of open spaces or the bubbles in the bathtub. One approach simply will not fly with every child. With RDI, the curriculum is specifically tailored for your child. And the protocol will evolve as he does. As he masters each stage of progress, we will add new and more challenging activities designed to take him to the next level. The goal? To give your child the tools he needs to move about in the world as a full participant, rather than an outsider simply hoping to "pass."

Dr. Gutstein recently completed a study comparing 17 children aged two through ten undergoing the RDI program to 14 children who averaged more than twice the amount of intensive intervention services. A full 70 percent of the RDI children improved their diagnostic category on the ADOS test. More significantly, more than half of the children in the RDI Program scored in the non-autism category by the follow-up testing just 18 months later. Over the same period, more than 80 percent of the RDI children were able to move from special education or a home-based program to a regular classroom without special support. While there are limitations to this study, it provides a hopeful outlook for future treatments.

Make no mistake, RDI is not a magic pill. It involves time and effort. But the program is broken down into systematic, workable steps that are easy to follow and provides flexibility no other therapy can. While a highly skilled RDI consultant will design and assist you in implementing your individualized program, a good bit of the elbow grease is done by the child's parents or primary caregivers. That's because we strongly believe children with ASD learn best when taught by the person with whom they have the closest relationship and in a setting that makes them the most comfortable - their home.

And because the RDI® Program is parent-based, a child can continue receiving therapy while on vacation, on weekends, whenever it's convenient. There is no worrying that your child is taking a nap when the therapist is scheduled to arrive. You are the therapist. And you decide to wait until he wakes up and has an afternoon snack.

The RDI Program Certified Consultant will be monitoring you throughout the progress. We will have frequent meetings to discuss progress and set clear objectives. In addition, RDI requires the parent to make 30-minute videotapes every other week so the consultant can watch parent and child doing the prescribed activities. The consultant will reassess the RDA evaluation every six months so we can document progress and make any necessary adjustments.

The RDI Program Certified Consultant will also help you set up and "RDI lifestyle" in your own home, so your child is will be constantly surrounded with learning experiences and chances to grow. While the overall progress is astonishing, RDI begins with small steps, done thoughtfully and with clear goals in sight. It's a workable plan that brings real results. Not a magic pill. Not a miracle cure. But a steady and precise method for moving your child forward based on sound research and clinical studies.