The RDI Book: Forging New Pathways for Autism, Asperger's and PDD with the Relationship Development Intervention Program - Softcover

Steven E Gutstein; Ph.D.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0977718638 ISBN 13: 9780977718634

Publisher: Connections Center, 2009

Synopsis

n a highly readable, carefully detailed manner, The RDI Book chronicles the integration of cutting-edge theory and powerful clinical tools resulting in a program that has provided new hope to thousands of families with an ASD child. Dr. Gutstein describes the process in which parents are empowered and carefully trained by skilled professional consultants, to guide the cognitive, social and emotional development of their children. Through the framework of a unique dynamic intelligence curriculum, children become motivated to seek out new challenges and overcome their fear of change. Based on over ten years of research, Dr. Gutstein honors the delicate choreography critical for children of all ages to grow into independent, emotionally connected, responsible adults. The RDI Book is a landmark publication demonstrating how every family can apply their inherent wisdom and courage to attain success.

About this title

About the Author:

Dr. Steven Gutstein earned his Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology from Case Western Reserve University and conducted his Internship and Post-Doctoral work at Rutgers Medical School. 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 tenure, Dr. Gutstein also served as the Director of Psychology for Texas Children s Hospital and Director of Family Therapy Training for the Baylor College of Medicine. Prior to focusing his efforts on remediating Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dr. Gutstein was recognized as a nationally renowned developer of innovative clinical programs for children and teens with high-risk conditions. In 1983, he received the largest grant ever awarded by the Hogg Foundation for Mental Health, to develop family-based intervention programs for severely suicidal youth. He has developed innovative, family-based programs for children with various medical conditions and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders. He has also developed school programs for children with problems related to Executive Functioning. Since 1995 Steve and his wife, Dr. Rachelle Sheely, have served as the co-directors of RDIconnect, in Houston, Texas, which provides training and support to thousands of professionals and families around the world. He is also the Director of the Relationship Development Research Institute and the Gilbert Hall School in Los Angeles, California.

Review:

From our perspective, this book comes as a most welcome up-to-date overview of the thinking and practice of this original and potentially revolutionary therapeutic approach to intervention with families who have a child on the autism spectrum. In the RDI Book, Dr Steven Gutstein writes in a style that is admirably accessible and engaging but not at all simplistic, deeply thoughtful and academically informed but neither pretentious nor abstruse, and therapeutically illuminating (indeed inspiring) but nowhere prescriptive nor formulaic. He offers a vision of the interpersonal grounding for communication and mental development development that he relates to the functioning of our dynamic brains and moves with ease between an account of typical early development and a subtle yet powerful analysis of the difficulties faced, but also the opportunities presented, in fostering development among children with autism. Through the committed and rigorous application of developmental principles underpinning guided participation to forge new pathways for individuals on the autism spectrum, the author not only provides an invaluable guide to parents and other caregivers or professionals seeking to help affected children, but also enables us all to appreciate what autism really means. This is a wonderful and often moving book about a hugely significant approach to parent-led intervention for children with autism. R.Peter Hobson, Tavistock Professor of Developmental Psychopathology in the University of London. --Peter Hobson, Tavistock Professor of Developmental Psychology in the University of London

The major contribution of this book for working with people diagnosed with ASD is the focus on dynamic intelligence as distinct from static skills. The review of dynamic processes is well grounded in current research and clearly points to the promotion of quality of life and the building of family strengths and supports as the primary treatment goal. The book also integrates relationship development models showing the importance of co-regulation and bridging as dynamic processes that foster and sustain dynamically adaptive ways of relating to the world. Alan Fogel Department of Pscyhology University of Utah --Alan Fogel, Department of Pscyhology, University of Utah

It is a great work. I am pleased to see how RDI is maturing and becoming a theoretical and pratical approach. May things I like about the book: it describes social development in ways that every parent should understand; it focuses on the parents as the main therapists; the consultant role has expanded to include both hands-on help and help through the internet; the possibility for parents to send short clips of interactions with their child to the internet site, where they can be viewed by the therapist; the succinct and accurate presentation of the shortcomings of some of the ABA approaches. All in all a really great book. Peter Tanguay, MD Ackerly Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry University of Louisville --Peter Tanguay, MD, Ackerly Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Louisville

About this edition

• Publisher: Connections Center
• Publication date: 2009
• ISBN 10: 0977718638
• ISBN 13: 9780977718634
• Binding: Perfect Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 373
• Editor: Carlotta Baird, Hannah Gutstein
• Illustrator: Carlotta Baird