I have the opportunity to sign up for a workshop lead by Dr. Steve
Gutstein. Since (like most people) I only have so much of a budget to
work with I want to be sure that it is money well spent.
I talked to someone doing RDI and she said the RDI focus is on
increasing motivation for interaction. My ds does not lack motivation, in
some ways he is very overeager and that is just as off-putting to other
kids. Even with motivation his peer interactions are one of his weak areas
and I am looking for something that will help him connect better.
For those of you who do RDI - what aspects of communication do you
mostly focus on? Do you find it helpful? Would it be helpful for an active &
motivated but odd asd kid to persue?
[QUOTE=micki]Would it be helpful for an active &
motivated but odd asd kid to persue?[/QUOTE]
Yes, yes, yes!
We do RDI and are in the early stages, but I can tell you, it is phenomenal. My son also likes people. He is perhaps younger than yours, so we are at earlier stages than you would be, but RDI addresses both the desire to be social and the ability to be socially fluid. I heartily encourage you to go to hear Dr. G speak. You will come away with such renewed faith in what ASD people/kids are capable of. RDI covers social interaction from the very early stages, on to peer interaction and into fluency in group interactions. It is very far reaching.
In learning more about RDI, you may find that you son has missed a few important steps in social development, even though he has social desire. RDI will address head-on how to help your son become much more adept with the steps he missed.
It's a wonderful, happy, all-family inclusive intervention and I wholeheartedly endorse it.