Special Learning FAQs

This type of therapy analyses a person with autism’s source of frustration and recommends changes to the environment and routines to improve behavior.

Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) is a program focused mainly on aiding a child build social relationships with other people, initially with parents and other immediate members of the family.

The RDI program was developed by Dr. Steven Gutstein, PhD. He is an internationally renowned pioneer in the field of developmental disabilities. Being an expert in developmental psychology and having studied more than 30 years in the field of autism, he established that early parent-infant interaction brought about good, if not better, later abilities of the child in the areas of language, reasoning and social growth. He refers to these areas as the core deficits of autism.

The program usually starts with a one hour session with the consultant once a week. This may either increase or decrease over the course of time, depending on the progress the child makes. Eventually, when the child is ready, introduction to peers or groups will be made and fewer consultant visits will be required.

One of the best approaches is to familiarize your child with going places by driving around the local neighborhood and slowly expanding the distance which you explore.

P.L.A.Y. is the \\\'Play and Language for Autistic Youngsters\\\' program developed by Richard Solomon, MD, through the support of the National Institutes of Mental Health. The 3 year program started in 2009 with a $1.85 million grant from NIMH and is based off the DIR/Floortime model designed by child psychiatrist Dr. Stanley Greenspan.