RDI is Relationship Developmental Intervention.  It is the therapy we do for Steven, our son with Asperger Syndrome.

After attending the parent conference in CA, I am convinced of two things.  One, that we are on the right track with Steven by doing RDI.  And, two, that we are definitely homeschooling.

There is just something amazing about hearing developmental specialists explain development and the natural progression of milestones (whether achieved or missed) and trace their affect throughout life.  AS kids have missed crucial milestones which negatively affect their connection with this world on a physical brain patterned function.  It's like a train wreck after the wiring has been screwed up from the beginning. 

We've been "doing" RDI for 6 months.  I'm really still in the trying to figure it out stage, but i've already seen progress.  I'm re-energized after the conference and ready to go for it again! 

Today:  Goal-teach Steven to by my apprentice and follow my lead in actiivites where he is connected and interested in me and doing the activity WITH me.  I have to guide him clearly (and firmly) to release control and let me be the guide.  This makes him uncomfortable (not being in control) and he tries many tactics (hugging me, going potty, crying, etc.) to get out of it.  But, i must remain the guide and not let him off the hook!

1.  "We're Going on a Bear Hunt".  I showed him the song....slap my legs and sing the song.  His role is to slap his legs simultaneously and sing the bear song as an echo after me. 

It didn't go so well.  Once he realized i was going to make him doing something wherehe had to follow my lead (as opposed to him making up the song), he tried to bail.  We had to do several 'stopping the action' before he would remotely coorperate. 

Eventually, he slapped his knees, but was still being silly by using his hands differently (resisting).  He sang a little after me, but I never felt he was following me or was engaged.  It's like the second i tried to lead him, he was turned off to me.

2.  Apple cutting.  This went well.  I was making him an apple.  He pulled up his chair to the counter.  I gave him a plate in front of him.  I cut a piece of the apple, then showed him to put it on his plate.  He, excitedly, followed.  Then, I did another piece.  He followed again.  The next time, he added the variation of taking a little bite out of the piece before putting it on the plate.  I allowed this since he still seemed engaged (not running off in his mind with a new Steven way of doing it).  We continued like this a few times.  I cut the pieces different and even took a bite out of one myself.  He enjoyed the variations but stuck to the regulatory pattern of placing the apples on the plate.

This was simple and went well.  Hopefully, this will build his desire to be my apprentice and increase his competence b/c he was successful at following my lead in this simple activity.

3. laundry:  i throw clothes from dryer, throw them to steven.  he throws them in basket.  Next, I throw clothes from washer to Steven; he throws them into dryer.

At first, he was resistant (no surprise).  But, once i closed laundry room door, he was more focused and was only silly a few times.  He was engaged and followed my lead.  he did well with the variations i added (throwing, handing, wet/dry, etc.) and kept regulated with throwing the clothes into the designation.  He enjoyed it and felt competent after!