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TIMINGS : 9 am to 4 pm on 21st and 22nd Nov 2009 with appropriate Lunch and refreshment breaks to be decided by the speaker.
conference details
Dr. Steve Gutstein dramatically illustrates the Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) program. As he guides you through a new way of thinking, you will discover a path for how people on the autism spectrum can develop friendships, empathy and the love of sharing their world with others. Language comes alive when integrated with real emotion.

People with Autism, Aspergers learn not only to tolerate, but to enjoy change, transition and to go with the flow. The goal of RDI is for each person to be excited about expanding their world, rather than to be afraid of it. Find out what motivates people on the autistic spectrum to develop relationships. Understand the contrasts between RDI and social skills programs that emphasize socially acceptable behaviors but fail to develop the functions, the desire or reasons, essential to the formation of relationships. RDI is rich in "non-social" objectives, including: flexible thinking, rapid attention shifting, executive functioning and emotional regulation. These objectives are easily translated into specific IEP objectives.
Who Should Attend ?
If you are a family member, a professional who works with people on the autism spectrum, a researcher or educator you can gain new insight from attending this two day workshop.
What will the workshop cover ?
The developmental path unique to people on the spectrum: including the concepts of Static vs. relative thinking, imperative vs. declarative communications, and more...

The basic principles of RDI: Guiding and Pacing, creating an Experience-Sharing communication environment, capturing episodic memories, choosing simple settings, teaching Functions before Skills, determining developmental readiness, and developing competence.

Video clips of 'RDI in action' with parents and children and clips from the first two years in the life of a child with autism
  • The essential elements of a RDI lifestyle
  • The importance of frameworks and of the concepts of evolving and modifying frameworks
  • The advantages and the processes of forming dyads and small groups
  • Research on the effectiveness of RDI
  • RDI with teenagers
  • RDI implementation in school settings