27 of 41

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 3

gave him that raced from room to room.

He looks at Carrie holding his small hands against his chest, which is his way of saying he is ready.

She hands him one of the small balls, looks him in the eye and then looks at the basket she wants him to place it in. He spins around a few times not knowing exactly what he should do with the ball.

He chooses the basket directly in front of Carrie and drops the ball in. She shakes her head "no," and he quickly grabs it back. She repeats her directions.

"Jesse!" she calls. Again, she makes eye contact and then looks at the basket she wants him to place the ball in, with high arched eyebrows and exaggerated eye movement.

He spins around again and places the ball in the other wrong basket. She shakes her head again and repeats her directions for a third time. This time, Jesse gets it right.

As this game proceeds, Jesse puts the objects into the correct baskets each time. And each time, there is a celebration with clapping, bouncing and a little dancing.

The game they play is a part of the new Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) program Jesse recently started.

RDI will teach Jesse that objects can be used in several ways. Sometimes when Jesse is getting dressed, Carrie will play with him by putting his shoes on her hands or by putting his pants on her head. At first, this was devastating to Jesse. He didn't understand that it was all right to act like that-nothing bad will happen. He would throw tantrums over his shoes being on Carrie's hands.

"Because these kids are so fixated on static info and finding a routine on how the world works, it is important to change patterns all the time," Carrie says.

Carrie is a huge supporter of the new program, saying that it handles social issues better than the Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) program, which focuses on the child working independently.

Since beginning RDI in October, Jesse has improved immensely in various ways. He initiates "play," is less fixed on routines and gives more eye contact to others. His biggest improvement, however, is the way he handles himself when he is upset. Before, he would throw tantrums, and it would be difficult to calm him and figure out what was wrong.

Now when Jesse is sad or confused, he pouts, creating a little sad face, and he makes sure someone sees it to get help. It is easier for his family, Carrie and any of the other teachers to figure out how to appease him. They can now talk him through it and solve the problem with him.

RDI is a tremendous

• << previous page
• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about Autism?
We want to hear your view. Write now!