RDI stresses that, for the brain to learn, it needs to have real life meaningful experiences - not taught in a rote manner. What’s most exciting is that all of the latest research supports this very point.
This year we were able to serve six special-needs kids with a unique opportunity to attend a customized summer camp. We planned our curriculum and set goals based on the individual child’s needs.
The areas we targeted were:
- Flexibility
- Social interaction
- Reciprocal play
- Feelings of being a co-participant and part of a group
- Feelings of contributing in a meaningful way
- Assuming responsibility
for your job
One of the young people that attended was so motivated that
he worked hard to alter his schedule so he could attend every day, despite the
loss in normal routine. Interrupting his scheduled was almost impossible for
him to do typically. This increase in his flexible thinking was a major success
that he attended every day and even forgot to check his watch to leave at a
prescribed time. Additionally, he took on the responsibility of making lemonade
(from scratch) each day for everyone at camp. He also led morning movement
activities as we began our day, along with joining in with our mindful breathing
exercises and focused attention activities.
Utilizing RDI principals and strategies, another child was able to engage in
the game of tag, which was a preferred activity. The difference was that this
was the first time they had ever reciprocated and had been the person in
pursuit of the other children. This demonstrated an RDI strategy of “switching
roles” and participating fully in the game of tag. This child also participated
for the first time in relay races with the other kids.
There was a young man that took responsibility for handing out balls that we
needed for one of our activities and then took responsibility for collecting
them from each person. This was done with the understanding of having a“meaningful roll” in the group, as well as another area that is emphasized in
RDI; providing competent roles for kids so they can co-participate. He was able
to tolerate another child playing with some of his special toys and he did not
become upset, demonstrating nice progress with his flexibility in sharing, which
was amazing to observe.
One of the children, who is usually only able to stay at a location for short
periods of time, was able to stay the entire time we were having camp which was
also a great demonstration of personal growth.
Over all I could not have been more please with the progress we observed in each and every child during our RDI Summer Camp.
Janet Wald helps parents and
their children by creating an environment where parents become the
central figure in guiding their child’s development. Janet has worked with
children on the autism spectrum for the past 15 years. She shifted her career
from Early Childhood Education to working one-on-one as a behaviorist with
special needs children. In an effort to expand her knowledge, Janet attended a
two-day RDI workshop in Los Angeles in 2002. Two of the families she was
working with at the time also attended the workshop; “we all felt that RDI was the missing piece for children with Autism.” Janet
has been practicing RDI for the past 10 years. Visit her website.