RDI Empowerment through Education: New Answers

[Guest guest]

Empowerment through Education - New Answers

Empowerment through Education: New Answers

10/03/06

In this issue:

Feature Article

Empowerment through Education - New Answers (Part 3)

Story of the Week:

" I started the RDI® Program with my son at age 11... " (Part 1)

Video of the Week:

What's in the Bag? (#1 with Mom) - Experience-sharing and Broadband

Communication.

Upcoming Events

New on the Web Site

DVD Excerpt:

" Using language to share experiences ... "

Dr. Gutstein Quotable

Research Summary:

An investigation of language impairment in autism: Implications for

genetic subgroups.

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New to the

RDI® Program?

Relationship Development Intervention® Program

Download the Introduction to the RDI® Program

(32-page Booklet)

Preview the 5-hour " Going to the Heart of Autism " DVD

Radio interview with Dr. Gutstein about the RDI® Program (40 minutes)

How to Get Started with the RDI® Program

10 " What to Do While You're Waiting " Tips

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2-day Introductory Workshops for Parents and Professionals:

Los Angeles, CA Nov. 3-4

Austin, TX Nov. 17-18

Group rates available

Email Shaunna, at Villareal@... for information.

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4-day Parent Seminars

New Jersey area FULL

Oct. 10-13

Chicago, IL area FULL

Oct. 23-26

Houston, TX

November 13-16, 2006

Houston, TX

January 30-February 2, 2007

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THANK YOU:

Many thanks to all those who contributed and helped put the newsletter

together.

EDITOR:

Bev C

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Connections Center

4120 Bellaire Blvd.

Houston, TX 77025

Phone:

Fax:

Email:

feedback@...

© 2005, 2006

Connections Center.

All rights reserved

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Spotlights

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SOUTH AFRICA : New on-line Support Group

This group was created for families in South Africa interested in or

currently involved in the RDI® Program. This is a place where, as a community,

you can ask questions, solve problems and celebrate success! Moderated by

Certified Consultant, Tom Brown, M.A., L.L.P. To join, click here.

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Congratulations to newly Certified Consultants:

Canada: Brighouse, M.Sc., SLP©

CO (Niwot): Goresko, Ph.D.

LA (Baton Rouge): Vicky Poston Roy, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

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TEXAS - Save $25 by Registering before October 6

" The information seems to be the 'missing link' in remediation of

Autism " - a Poracsky, Professional.

Presented by Dr. Gutstein, this 2-day Introductory Workshop in

Austin, TX, is November 17-18, 2006. Group rates are available for 5 or more

persons (email us for more information.)

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4-day Parent Seminar - Houston, TX (November 13-16/06)

“After being exposed to numerous approaches to helping parents with

their autistic children, I have concluded that RDI® is the most sensible because

it uses the most up-to-date understanding of what autism is in order to provide

a logical, structured approach to helping the child move forward on skills that

really matter.” - Francis Vanek (Ithaca, NY)

To receive your Free Parent Seminar Info-Pak, email us at

parents@... or call Jill, our Parent Training Coordinator, at

ext. 108. (For calls within the U.S. or Canada, use our toll-free

number 1-, x108.) If you are interested in the seminar, we suggest

you register now to hold your space, as almost all of our seminars have waiting

lists.

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Featured Resource

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Developing Through Relationships: Origins of Communication, Self and

Culture

" Dr. Fogel is the developmental psychologist who has had the most

influence in bringing the study of co-regulation in dynamic systems to the

forefront of developmental psychology. His work, especially his explanation of

the co-regulation process, was a revelation to me and is still a foundation for

progress in the RDI® Program. " - Dr. Steve Gutstein. More information about the

book.

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Spotlights for Professionals

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Dr. Gutstein's Latest Chat on the new Child Objectives

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Professional Seminars - Dates announced for 2007!

Next Advanced Seminar:

November 28-December 1, 2006. FULL

Register for February 6-9, 2007

Next Beginning & Intermediate Seminars:

December 5-8 (Beginning) and December 11-14, 2006 (Intermediate)

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On the Resources Group (for Professionals only):

Recent Discussions: Inspirational video; Tracking systems for

mastery; Rainy Day outside games/activities; GLAD; ASA National Conference Call

for Papers; Alfie Kohn; Dr G's " Dad " chat; Relating core deficits to School Best

Practices; RCR; Quotes on making mistakes/failures .. plus 3 new files.

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New on the Web Site:

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UPDATED: RDI® Program Support Groups on the Internet

Now includes the new group for those in INDIA and SOUTH AFRICA.

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2-day Intro Workshop in Austin, TEXAS (Nov. 17-18)

This brochure has now been posted and can be downloaded from the

workshop page, or click here to download now.

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Tuesdays, 8 p.m. CENTRAL TIME: Live Chat Calendar

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Recent Live Chats Posted

September 26, Dr. Sheely's Chat: Getting started; regulation on a

walk; putting flatware away; Jump-o-lene.

September 26 , Dr. Gutstein's Chat: Special chat for Dads.

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Recent Discussions on the Message Board

Multiples with AD/PDD

NYC Consultant in training

RDI, Insurance & Public School

Core deficit list?

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DVD Excerpt

" Using language to share experiences ... "

Researchers found that most people with autism, about 85%, are going

to learn to talk. Even if they didn't have any kind of intervention, they are

going to speak. But, we find that their speech is limited. Their communication

is limited to what we call " means and ends " types of things. Getting your needs

met. Communicating to achieve a very, very specific goal. And we find that the

type of communication we use to share experiences, to be curious, to integrate

our thoughts with others and our feelings with others, is absent in people on

the spectrum.

From Chapter 4, How this research helps us understand autism.

DVD Preview: If you're interested in learning more about the DVD,

view the video preview or see the DVD Release Notes and Unpublished DVD Index

which appeared in recent newsletters. The five-hour Going to the Heart of Autism

DVD can be ordered on-line from our secure, on-line store.

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Dr. Gutstein Quotable

Typical children communicate very well prior to language. They also

demonstrate considerable conceptual development prior to language. We have to

make sure that language disconnected from thinking and problem solving doesn't

become an obstacle for those on the autism spectrum.

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Going to the Heart of Autism

Empowerment through Education:

New Answers (Part 3)

While a child may be the one with autism, Asperger's or PDD-NOS, an autism

spectrum disorder (ASD) really affects everyone in the whole family. Parents may

be baffled and frustrated when they try to engage their child, not really

getting the connection they want by continually prompting, yet getting nothing

if they don't. They may even give up on trying to emotionally connect with their

child and just try to make everyday life easier, by compensating with " social

skills " classes, printed rules or even sticker charts. The parent/child

relationship can take a secondary place, behind compensations. Yet the rich bond

created between a parent and a neurotypical child seems almost unattainable with

a child on the spectrum. The absence of a mutual, emotional feedback system and

the resulting intuitive understanding may leave parents feeling incompetent and

discouraged.

Read the rest of the article:

What are we Compensating for?

Using the Research to Lead Us to Answers

Differences in Development between Typical Children and Children on the

Autism Spectrum

From Discouragement to Empowerment

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*NOTE: A much more in-depth discussion of this topic takes place in the

2-day Introductory Workshop:

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For more information:

Upcoming 2-day Introductory Workshops:

November 3-4, 2006: Los Angeles, CA

November 17-18, 2006: Austin, TX

Save $25 by registering before the Early Bird Deadline, October 6.

Recent 2-day Introductory Workshop Slides: download now.

Upcoming 4-day Intensive Parent Seminars:

November 13-16, 2006: Houston, TX

2007: See our 2-day Introductory Workshop page or our 4-day Intensive

Parent Seminars page. Cities and dates for 2007 will be announced soon.

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