Introduction to RDI® (Relationship Development Intervention®) Groups at Autism Family Services, LLC

Our next 12-week group will begin soon! Contact us for dates and times!

Here’s what parents in our current groups are learning:

· What the latest research in neurology and developmental psychology tells us about what autism is and what areas need to be addressed in intervention plans to give the child the best chance for a long term quality of life.

· How to interact and communicate with their child with autism in their everyday life in ways that help motivate the child to share experiences, communicate nonverbally, think and behave more flexibly.

· How to stop overcompensating for their child’s disability and start providing the child with the right amount of mental challenge to promote cognitive growth.

· How to develop a better relationship with their child, one in which the child actively seeks guidance from parents in promoting his mental growth.

· How to parent more effectively and confidently, focusing on remediation of autism and a better overall quality of life for the whole family.

RDI® Groups under the guidance of an RDI® Program Certified Consultant are currently forming at Autism Family Services, LLC in Avon, CT. The groups (parents only) will cover the first phase of the RDI® Program, the Parent Education Objectives. Cost will be $300 per family for twelve weekly one-hour sessions plus $150 to subscribe to the RDI® Learning System for three months (required as part of the group training).

Homework will be assigned to parents between sessions. Homework should take 1-2 hours per week. Some of the homework assignments may involve videotaping interactions with your child. Prior to the start of the program, all parents must agree (in writing) to the sharing of video tapes with the group as learning tools at the consultant’s discretion. Parents who are not comfortable with group discussions or sharing videotapes with a group are welcome to begin an individual RDI® program with Autism Family Services (individual rates apply).

Prior to the first group session, the Relationship Development Assessment®, Part 1 (RDA 1) will be administered for each family. This assessment will be scheduled individually, will include the child and both parents, and will take approximately two hours. Cost for this initial assessment will be $100.

At the end of the group sessions, parents will have the option of continuing the RDI® program on an individual basis (individual fee rates would apply).Both parents will need to complete an on-line questionnaire and have a (free) telephone or in-person interview before beginning the group training.

Participation in the group by both parents will yield the most benefit and is strongly recommended, although not required.

For more information on our group session or individual RDI® programs, please call contact Autism Family Services, LLC at deangelo@autismfamilyservices.com or (860)-966-6786.