Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Program is a parent-based clinical treatment for individuals with autism spectrum and other relationship-based disorders.

Goals of the RDI™ Program

It is the first systematic program designed to help children born with obstacles preventing them from attaining relationship competence. 

The RDI™ Program is based upon the model of Experience Sharing developed by Steven Gutstein Ph.D. Dr. Gutstein studied the means by which typical children become competent in the world of emotional relationships.

His methods are based upon extensive research in typical development as well as scientific studies of individuals in the autism spectrum.

Clinicians from around the world are certified by The ConnectionsCenter to serve as consultants to parents and help them customize and implement their RDI™ Programs. 

Certified Consultants use information from the Relationship Development Assessment (RDA) to develop clear, specific, developmentally appropriate treatment objectives and customized activities.

Goals of the RDI™ Program

The primary goal of the RDI™ Program is to systematically teach the motivation for and skills of Experience Sharing interaction. Deficits in Experience Sharing have been found to rest at the core of autism spectrum disorders.

The RDI™ Program provides a path for people on the Autism Spectrum to learn friendship, empathy and a love of sharing their world with others. Language comes alive when integrated with real emotion. People with Autism and Asperger's learn not only to tolerate, but to enjoy change, transition and going with the flow. It begins at the edge of each person's current capability and carefully teaches the skills needed for competence and fulfillment in a complex world.

Learn more about the RDI™ Program