Getting Started in RDI® with Essential Communication, Inc.

1. Parents must either have attended a 2-Day Introductory RDI® Conference, 4-Day Parent RDI Training Conference or viewed the entire RDI® DVD “Going to the Heart of Autism”. It is also recommended that families read Autism Asperger’s: Solving the Relationship Puzzle by Dr. Steven Gutstein. ISBN 1-885477-70-8, published by Future Horizons, Inc.

2. An initial consultation to review the background and focus of RDI® and answer questions and concerns is required. Both parents are expected to attend. Also information about your child’s medical history, strengths and areas of concern will be obtained in this interview. The charge for the initial consultation will vary based on time spent.

After the interview is completed and if the family decides to proceed in developing an RDI® treatment plan an initial deposit of $1000 for the parent training and administration of the RDA™ is required. In addition to the deposit, both parents will need to sign  an “Agreement to Participate in Relationship Development Intervention®” which will include initial parent training (6-8 hours),  the first RDA™ and services leading up to the next RDA™ which is completed in approximately 6 months. These agreements are customized for each family at the discretion of your consultant but must maintain the integrity of RDI® treatment program. This is done to provide you and your child the greatest opportunity for success. At the completion of the treatment planning meeting a detailed schedule for sessions/video reviews will be developed.

The balance of all fees for the RDA™ and Treatment Planning meeting will be due at that meeting.  Payments for ongoing sessions conducted as part of the treatment plan are due at each session. Billed time includes time for each session and its planning, documentation and report writing, video review, phone consultation lasting longer than 10-15 minutes per week and direct consultation time.  Payment on a monthly basis may be agreed to at the start of the treatment plan with payments due within 21 days of the date on the monthly statement. Out of town families or those families utilizing videotape review exclusively must provide payment with each scheduled video for the first six months.

Parents will be required to complete basic medical records information including permission to videotape your child for use by the consultant in developing your treatment plan and ongoing consultation.

3. The next step is to provide a 40 minute video of parents interacting with your child. Guidelines for the video include:

• make it at home in a setting with minimal distractions
• avoid performance related tasks that may frustrate the child
• avoid any electronic interactions ( computers, videos, video games)
• tape when the child is in good spirits, rested and able to attend at their best levels
• With verbal partners include 10 minutes with each parent and a 10 minutes shared activity with each parent. Avoid topics of referred interests
• With nonverbal partners include 20 minutes of shared activity with each parent.

This tape will be reviewed by your consultant prior to your RDA™ and is billed at an hourly rate.

4. At the time of your deposit we will provide you with a list of agreed upon dates in which to complete initial parent training and the RDA™ . Please note that the format of the RDA™ for families from outside the Atlanta Metro area includes all the same sessions, however are completed within 3-4 days. The RDA™ includes the following sessions, their review and completion of all related paperwork:
Parent Training: Both Parents, 6-8 hour all-day session
Session 1, RDA™ 1:  Child and one Adult for approximately 90-120 minutes
Session 2, RDA™ 2:  Child alone for approximately 60 minutes
Session 3, Pre RDA™ 3 Parent Meeting: Both Parents for approximately 60 minutes, Child does not attend
Session 4, RDA™ 3:  Both adults and Child and for approximately 30-60 minutes
Session 5, Treatment Planning Conference:  Both Parents attend to discuss customized treatment plan:  1-2 hours

5. Parents will need to schedule administration of ADOS to be completed prior to completion of RDA™ sessions.

6. When you are coming to participate in your RDA™ you will need to bring 6-8 loose photographs of your child participating in events that were meaningful to them. You do not need to bring an album. One is provided here. Also you will need to bring 3 small prizes for the RDA™ 1. A ‘dollar store’ type toy, candy, stickers, etc. are appropriate. Do not show them to your child prior to the RDA™ 1. We suggest that you not select prizes that are so stimulating that your child will not be able to continue in other activities in the RDA™.