I ♥ RDI


The joy that the attached video clip gives me is indescribable; and in fact I have been sitting on this post for a few days. It has been difficult to find the words to explain how I feel about the footage.

To be perfectly honest with you, Nick is severely autistic and he has really battled over the years, dealing with anxiety, uncertainty, feelings of incompetence, lack of communication and huge sensory needs. In short, life has not been easy for him and the stress on us as a family has been immense.

Having a child who was unable to go out into the community made our days very restrictive. Dealing with his stress over the slightest change in routine was soul destroying. Being a mum and living with a child who had no desire to *connect* broke my heart.

When we first started with RDI, I took on board that our journey was a 'marathon, not a sprint'. I let go of my desire to rush my way through Nick's development. I accepted that the role I needed to play as Nick's parent was huge. Our journey wasn't just about him; it was also about me and how 'together' we could progress.

This video clip is a culmination of years of working with my son. It shows how we engage with each other in a meaningful way. The actual activity is not important, it is only a prop for our engagement. So much is evident throughout the clip.... joint attention, co-regulation, pausing, referencing, pacing, non verbal communication, edge plus one, experience sharing, trust and enjoyment.

For interest sake; these days, Nick is incredibly flexible (not so much with food!) and he loves going out. As for change, routines, structure and problems with transitioning... what are those? You can see for yourself that the desire to connect is now there! :)

Onward and upward!





25 comments:

  1. It's so great. Sophie has similar body language to Nick. She's very smiley and cuddly too. I think I should read more about rdi... I'm doing a sort of amateur version of it. But seeing results :)

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    1. Hi Sophie's Trains ~ Your girl is so cute and I love following her progress. I also started out doing an amateur version; glad to hear that you are seeing results.

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  2. This is lovely - so much focus and attention and co-regulation - and fun!

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    1. Thank you for your comment, Sue. I was thrilled with the outcome.... and you are right, it was such fun. x

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  3. That's breath taking. I just watched the video with my husband and it's made our day XXX

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    1. Hi Jean, I am glad that you and your husband liked it. The video encourages me to continue with what we are doing. Have a lovely weekend. xx

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  5. When he leaned into you I clapped my hands in glee, as tears gathered in my eyes! How truly wonderful. I have to say, as long as I've known you and been reading your blog I can see the connection between you and your Nick. It's just increased lots.

    I wonder if us mums have a special bond/connection with our children? I really feel there's one with me and my boy, in fact it was noticed by professionals when he was 10 years younger! I thinks it's there because it has to be. Because we work so hard to help them reach their potential. And they sense it?

    Anyway, well done. This is fabulous. xx Jazzy

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    1. Jazzy, thank you for your thoughtful and very lovely comment. I know that I am very aware of Nick's development and my focus tends to be more on our relationship than teaching him skills.... I find that the skills are developing naturally via what we are doing together. So nice to hear that you have that extra special connection with your boy. xx

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  6. So sweet!!!!

    Our milestone on the marathon not sprint journey: Pamela called her dad on the cell phone on her own initiative and had a short conversation with him! We may be taking our sweet time, but we are moving onward and upward!

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    1. Walking, you and Pamela are most definitely moving onward and upward. How wonderful that Pamela was able to call her dad, really wonderful news.

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  7. I love this video! It's the little things which make all the hard work so rewarding. I can see that you and Nick have a great connection and I love the way you make the activity such fun for you both. Great inspiration for all us fellow RDI-ers, thank you.

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    1. Hi Abby, I am pleased that you love the video and that you found it inspiring. I really enjoy following your RDI journey and also get great ideas from your blog!

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  8. I think what you have accomplished is mindblowing!!!

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    1. you know I just showd this video to DH - this is really amazing stuff - also you are really lovely and n is so loving and cuddly

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  9. I don't know how I missed this post, it is absolutely wonderful to watch, well done to both of you xxxx

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  10. Hi there, Blue Sky. Thank you so much. xx

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  11. Thank you for such a beautiful video, it brought me to tears. We are just about to endeavour on an RDI journey and it is very exciting. Like you, I am very focused on creating a relationship and letting life skills come from that. Thank you for the inspiration - the bond you and your son share is truly beautiful.

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    1. Hi Christie, thanks for stopping by. It's lovely to meet you and I look forward to following your family's journey with RDI..... and also get some yummy food ideas! :-)

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  12. I watched this video with a big smile, the connection is fantastic between you both and so important. There were moments that reminded me of my Ethan, we touch heads to connect, they are our cuddles. It's all about those small steps :0) x

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    1. Hi Jane, I am glad that you enjoyed the clip and yes you are right, it is all about those small steps.... which can actually be quite huge. xx

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Thank you for taking the time to leave me a comment. x