Steven Gutstein, Relationship Development Intervention

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I posted about this in another section of the forum, got no answers. Just in case some of you didn't see it, I thought I'd post it here again.

Steven Gutstein has 3 books about autism/asperger's/PDD intervention, and an intervention model called Relationship Development Intervention. It involves a lot of social exercises, usually used on children. Does anybody here have experience using Gutstein's model? Is anybody here a parent of somebody with such experience? Can any of you comment, based on real-life experience, on how effective interventions following Gutstein's model are?

Sorry if my posting this a second time annoys anybody. It's just that I'd be surprised if there's nobody who reads this forum who has any experience with this. Thanks for reading, thanks for any responses.

Nah, no personal experience.
The term 'Relationship Development Intervention' is pretty funny, though.

Like in a romantic comedy, when the best friend shows up and ruins the hero and heroine's developing relationship.
Almost funny, in an aspie word-humor sort of way.

No experience other than reading some of his research stuff and some of the writings in his website. But the thing that hit me about his RDI was that the dynamic intelligence he talks about creating in autistic children are traits that should be taught to everyone and I didnt see anything special that would help a child understand who they are, only things trying to change them to be like everyone else. And I think that approach is wrong in and of itself, cause once again its molding us into something we're not. Im still waiting for the program that teaches all kids how to be themselves and still get along no matter what kind of neuro type they are.

The only thing close to a trademarked therapy that my son has had was his preschool class that was modelled after Integrated Play Groups, based on the writings of Pamela Wolfberg. These were descriptions of play groups that were integrated (duh)-autistic and NT kids-and basically just taught peer-modelling. If you witnessed "clinic" it looked like regular play.

I don't like anything that uses words like "normal" as some kind of goal or apex of human existence. "Normal" isn't always smart, nice or interesting.

Yeah, play groups in a structured setting are great for pre-social skills training. They did a lot of board games that involved turn-taking, cheering for other players, identifying the goals of the game, timing etc. The peer modelling is subtle and not out in the open. The peer friends (NT) are young enough to be learning the same things without realizing it.
It doesn't teach autistic kids to "make friends" or "value relationships", it teaches basic social skills and how to approach structured free time. My son is currently having difficulty at recess and I have suggested creating a structured activity.

hi! I just found this site.
We are doing the therapy, Relationship Development Intervention with our 5 year old son. We love it!! RDI is helpful for all ages, so don't be discouraged because you are older. I've seen amazing progress with older children.
I almost hate to describe RDI for fear of not doing it justice. The appeal for us was that most therapies focus on improving life in terms of skills....like, doing your checkbook, getting dressed, etc. But, RDI realized that although many children on the spectrum grew up to do these things, very few of them had a single friend and even fewer got married. So, the question is this...what is quality of life? For me, it is not enough for my son to live independently (thought i'm working towards that), but I want him to have a best friend and the enrichment of a life filled with relationships and growing as a person through them.
If you are interested in those things, look at www.rdiconnect.com. The website is a little hard to navigate but I'd love to tell you whatever you'd like to know about it.
Alicia

thanks for the welcome!!
my husband is from Seattle...so, i guess he would have had his future set on Texas....well, not really cause he never would've moved here if he hadn't married me!!
alicia