How RDI Changed Our Lives

     Autism World Magazine shared the personal story, "How RDI Changed Our Lives," written by Sharon Bradbrook-Armit about her experience doing RDI with her daughter. In the article, Bradbrook-Armit asked her daughter if she remembered when they started doing RDI. Her daughter's response was simply, "Yes it's when we started doing things together." RDI has the ability to change the entire family unit by strengthening relationships and creating happy, shared moments together. 

     "The beginning of us making changes within our family to help her, instead of using therapies to fix her problems..."

Click here to read more about Sharon Bradbrook-Armit's personal experience with RDI on page 22-29 of Autism World Magazine

Guiding Through Uncertainty

     Dr. Sheely wrote a great article, "When Failure Leads to Curiosity," about the anxiety that uncertainty brings to those on the Autism Spectrum. She discusses the feelings of avoidance that surface, but suggests that these moments are some of the best opportunities for guiding.

Click here to read Dr. Sheely's article

Gardening with Autism

     Autism World Magazine publishes an amazing article written by RDI Certified Consultant Libby Majewski called "Guiding children with autism spectrum disorders in everyday, family oriented activities." This article discusses how to make gardening enjoyable, and also a productive environment for children to learn. Majewski follows these steps as she explains this family activity:

GARDENING WITH AUTISM

1. Plan ahead

2. Use Pinterest

3. Go slow

4. Stay in the lead

5. Assign roles

6. Allow and plan for mistakes

7. Keep it short and end on a positive note

8. Take pictures or video and review them afterward with your child

9. Celebrate with hugs and gazes

     Majewski focuses on how difficult it is as a guide or parent to watch our children make mistakes when we could easily show or teach the correct way. She said, "Let them make mistakes (it's dirt, right?). Take perfect out of the equation, not important. Let go of expectations (I know it's hard, believe me). This is about guiding your child with special needs in a positive experience...This is an opportunity for growth and learning to trust Mom, Dad, and themselves."
     Have you planted your garden yet? Gardening is a wonderful family activity that can be enjoyable if the right process is in place. It can also carry on throughout the summer as you and your family take care of it.

Click here to open Autism World Magazine and read about gardening on page 11-19

RDI? What? When? How?

Have you ever wondered where RDI came from? Dr. Gutstein is one of the co-founders of RDI and shares his thoughts on how RDI started to develop.

Click here to watch Dr. Gutstein's clip

TODAY ONLY!!

Today only, you can download The RDI Book for

50% off on Kindle.

Click here to download

Do you like baseball?

Do you like to watch baseball or are you in need of a get-a-way from everyday life? The Anaheim Angels are having an Autism awareness night in California at an Angels vs. Indians game on Monday, April 28th at 7:05pm.

To purchase tickets go to angels.com/autism and use the promo code: "autism"

It's Free!

We have a FREE copy of Autism World Magazine that includes great articles on RDI, gardening, and even more! Download your free copy today!

Click here to download your free edition

5 Takeaways from Elizabeth Smart

     Elizabeth Smart shared a wonderful message at Boston College about her experiences shared in her novel, My Story. Smart said, "I'm not sorry that I was kidnapped. I wouldn't ask for it, but I always think of what I've been able to do since then." Do we ever feel that way about our own lives? Of course all of us probably wouldn't choose the trials that we can been given, but we, like Smart, can look at the optimistic side and look deeper into what we have been able to do because of them. Our trials help shape us into the people that we have and will become.

Click here to read the highlights of this touching article

RDI Goals

Our programs are based on the latest research and help build:

 Problem solving    Self-regulation   Flexibility & adaptability

  Empathy & Perspective    Stronger Relationships 

   Competence   Independence    Self Worth

Mindful Guiding

"Mindful guiding is a very deliberate process. It has a clear intention. So when we engage in guiding we are intending to increase neural complexity and trying to build the foundations of dynamic intelligence. We go one step at a time. To be careful and thoughtful requires preparation and evaluation."

--Dr. Steven Gutstein

Mindful of What To Say and Do

RDI Consultant, Carol Subramani, wrote this great article, "Mindful Interaction," that discusses what you should say and do as you are being a guide to your child. She offers some helpful advice and tips about how to become an effective guide.

Click here to read the article at rdiconnect.com

"Is it good to let kids screw up?"

As parents, we think we know what is best for our own children. The tricky part however, is to allow them to learn and make decisions on their own. Is it more beneficial to let our children “figure it out,” rather then tell them all of the answers before they need them? We believe so.

We came across an article, “Is it good to let kids screw up?” and loved how it discussed the problem of, “letting our kids slip and fall—figuratively and literally.” We all probably agree that we don’t want our kids to crumble each time they mess up, but hopefully we can find an encouraging balance to allow them to learn from their own mistakes.

“The bottom line is this: Don’t step in and do the work for your kids. Don’t line up the perfect internship or correct a homework assignment after your child has gone to bed. Do ask questions, though, and do coach your kids through the possible outcomes ahead of time.”

Click here to read the article.