well, lets start with what exactly is RDI?

Isn't RDI kinda like Floor time? OR did floor time come first and then RDI is the replacement? I think not sure though. Hugs Denise

RDI is a developmental approach to remediate the core deficits of autism. RDI focuses on teaching parents how to revisit missed developmental milestones with thier children and reteach them in a slower and more deliberate way. RDI is parent based as we believe that every child, including those with ASD learn best from the most important people in thier lives; their parents. RDI aims to provide opportunities for individuals with ASD to develop dynamic intelligence; the ability to problem solve, coordinate their actions with another person, use and read non verbal communication, borrow other people's perspectives and to manage uncertainty. It is similar to floortime but the two have some major differences...floortime teaches parents to follow the child's lead whereas RDI teaches parents how to create opportunities throughout their day for cognitive discoveries. Its also much more structured as parents are provided with very specific objectives to work on. There is a lot of info about the program at www.rdiconnect.com.

I'm sorry but I live in Ny and never heard of this.Tee

I first heard if RDI probably about four years ago. The doctors who developed it are based in Texas. One of my son's preschool teachers was in the process of becoming a certified consultant.

I've been to their website, read some of their books, and been to one of their 'Four-Day Parent Training' conferences.

The way they approach treating autism sounds good (logical and research supported etc)to me.

The only reason I haven't pursued it for my son is that no local consultants are covered by any health insurance we've had and is too expensive for us right now.

Hi Beryl, some states have recently passed legislation that insurance companies have to pay for behavioral therapy. Many people have began to fight for RDI to be paid for as well and with success. RDI ends up being tens of thousands of dollars less than a full ABA program so insurance companies have been opting to pay for RDI as an alternative to ABA. More and more school systems across the country are beginning to put it on children's IEPs as well.

Laura,
My husband and I are about to begin RDI with our 10-month old daughter. She has a few developmental delays and we are starting very young to hopefully change the course of her development. In your opinion, do you think I will be able to effectively help a child this young with RDI? My consultant assures me I can, but that she is his youngest client.
Have you seen RDI work miracles? I am a stay-at-home mom and have one child, I have ample time to devote to RDI. I guess I'm hoping for encouragement before I make such a big monetary investment.

-Marissa