Product Description
A Groundbreaking Developmental Program that Opens the Door to Lifelong Social & Emotional Growth for Persons with Autism, Aspergers Syndrome & PDD” Steve Gutstein, psychologist and autism specialist, sought to discover why children with autism lack the social skills that come so easily to the rest of us. The result of his efforts is an innovative program – Relationship Development Intervention – that take social skills teaching to the next level. You’ll learn about … More >>
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I have recommended this book for use with several children I work with, as well as the companion books with the actual excercises. I found them comprehensive and a good read, and was quite interested to find out what my “social skills” levels were (frequently under the age of one year, according to the tests provided in the back of the practical book on Adolescents and Adults).
I am Aspergers or HFA, depending upon whom you ask (significant language delay, but not diagnosed until an adult). But having worked with a couple of RDI consultants, and having read the books… I am NOT comfortable with the therapy for myself.
Quite frankly, I don’t want to socialize that much, and not being good at it works as well as any other reason to not do so. And if neurotypicals are as terribly good and flexible at adjusting to the levels of the person they are socializing with as they like to claim, then they can bloody well do so for a change. I feel no need to change who I am, or how I act, simply to fit the prejudices of others.
Yes, I know it would make life that much easier. But as I recently told a DAN/CAN type at a local ASA conference, I would like a “cure” for my autism about as much as he would like a “cure” for his personality.
Rating: 3 / 5
Hats off to Dr. Gutstein for his focus on socialization in individuals with autism and Asperger’s Syndrome. His “carrot minus the stick” approach in helping people on the autism spectrum perceive benefits in social interaction is an invaluable insight. I like the way he concentrates on building strengths and providing explanations for more severe autism-spectrum behaviors.
He uses what appears to me a very reasonable approach. For many people with autism, sequencing or breaking tasks and interactions down into process-friendly steps has proven helpful. He also explains how people by nature crave socialization and that people on the autism spectrum do not have the intuitive social knowledge, such as how long and when to maintain eye contact. To his credit, he does not lapse into a tired “Rain Man” stereotype; instead, he focuses on how to encourage people with autism to develop nonverbal as well as other interpersonal social skills. In just about every case, people with autism learn these behaviors cognitively and often by repeated efforts.
This book certainly deserves a place of honor among professionals and families. It is for everybody.
Rating: 5 / 5
Gutstein’s book has far reaching social value beyond that of Autism. I think of his work RDI as soul building, something our society desperately needs. Gutstein takes apart the developmental elements of social/personal connection without losing the sense of mystery that there is in relationships. ie. He analyses the kiss without reducing it to a technicality. Although steps are given once you have grasped the content of the book there is room for the individuals creativity and intuition to take the material and run with it.
I feel strongly that this book should be required reading for all psych, forensic and Social work students as it goes to the core of our ability to relate to other individuals and society.
Rating: 5 / 5
I was given this book by another parent whose son has autism, and my son has a preliminary diagnosis of PDD-NOS. While I do agree that an important part of the missing piece for specturm children has to do with their inability to read and respond to the emotional and social cues of their peers, I have my doubts as to whether or not that certain “piece” is the most critical and primary component of autism that needs to be adressed first and primarily in order to begin the process of recovery. Frankly, I am dubious of any therapy that requires parents to spend $3,000 on a four day seminar before they can purchase more therapy, which will likely have to be paid for out of pocket. I find that the RDI’s official websites use of guilt and fear in goading parents out of their precious resources is not only irresponsible, but generally reprehensable as well. When I hear something like recovery, or hope for you child’s fullest potential, initially comes with a three-thousand dollar cash outlay plus the cost of travel and hotel accomodations, so that someone can tell me over the course of four days, that my son has a deficit when it comes to socialization, I immediately become suspicious. Buyer’s beware I say: when therapists have our children’s best interest at heart, they never use guilt or fear to get parents into their offices so that treatment and help can begin to lighten the already heavy load of caring for a child with autisim spectrum disorders.
Rating: 3 / 5
Gutstein’s premise — that people on the spectrum need to learn emotional sharing — is quite a different approach from the standard therapies. Most therapies work on functional skills, whereas Gutstein works on functional motivation. The two go hand-in-hand, and that’s where his book has value. However, it’s not a very readable book, and it needs extensive editing to be accessible to its preferred audience of parents and therapists. Look instead for one of his two follow-up books, which give an overview of RDI and also provide specific exercises.
Rating: 3 / 5