Autism Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle

Steve Gutstein, a psychologist and autism specialist, has dedicated his life to bridging the social gap between children with autism and the rest of us. The result of his efforts is an innovative program—Relational Development Intervention—that takes social skills teaching to the next level. First you'll learn about the social development pathway of neurotypical children and the life-changing detour taken by children on the autism spectrum. The Gutstein takes you beyond theory and describes practical ways to steer children with autism onto a path of self discovery and social awareness, one that will ultimately bring them home to meaningful friendships, shared emotions, and heartfelt connection with the people in their lives.

Helpful sections include:

• Experience Sharing
• Autism: Life Without Experience Sharing
• Relational Development Intervention
• Principles of Treatment
• Laying the Foundation for Relational Development
• Becoming an Apprentice
• You & Me: Working Together as Partners
• Sharing Our Worlds
• Sharing Our Minds: The Inner Game
• True Friends

Prior to 1987, Dr. Gutstein was a nationally renowned developer of innovative clinical programs for children with high-risk conditions. In 1983, he received the largest grant ever awarded by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, to develop a family-based intervention program for seriously suicidal adolescents. Dr. Gutstein earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University. Between 1979 and 1987 he served as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at Baylor College of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical School. During this period, Dr. Gutstein also served as the director of Pediatric Psychology for Texas Children's Hospital. He is currently Director of The Connections Center.