Relationship Development Intervention (RDI)

Many autistic children learn specific skills, yet still struggle to cope with uncertainty, adapt to change, understand another person's perspective, or participate in the back-and-forth flow of everyday life.

RDI is a developmental programme that builds the foundations for lifelong learning, relationships, resilience, independence, and quality of life.

Rather than asking 'How do we teach this skill?', RDI asks:

What developmental capacities need to be in place for this skill to develop naturally?

RDI is based on the understanding that development happens through guided participation within everyday relationships.

For many autistic children, opportunities to learn through these everyday interactions can become disrupted. Parents often find themselves working harder and harder to help their child, yet feeling increasingly uncertain about what is actually helping.

RDI helps parents understand why these difficulties occur and how to create opportunities for growth in everyday life.

Parents are the most important people in their child's developmental journey.

As an RDI Consultant, I don't teach your child directly. Instead, I work alongside you, helping you develop the knowledge, confidence and skills needed to guide your child's growth.

Together, we focus on building:

• Shared attention and engagement
• Emotional connection
• Flexible thinking
• Co-regulation
• Perspective taking
• Resilience when things do not go to plan
• Confidence in managing uncertainty

Every programme is personalised to your child and family.

The process typically includes:

• An initial assessment
• Individualised developmental goals
• Regular consultation meetings
• Video feedback of everyday interactions
• Practical guidance that can be embedded into family life

Rather than adding more activities to your already busy schedule, RDI uses the moments that already exist within daily life.

I work with parents of autistic children, young people, and adults across a wide age range.

RDI may be particularly helpful if:

• You feel overwhelmed by conflicting advice
• Traditional strategies are not producing meaningful change
• Your child struggles with flexibility and coping with change
• You want to better understand your child's development
• You would like support that focuses on the whole family rather than isolated skills.

I became an RDI Consultant in 2005 after using RDI with my own family.

As the parent of an autistic adult daughter, I understand both the practical challenges and emotional impact autism can have on family life.

For more than 20 years, I have supported families using a developmental approach that focuses on improving quality of life, strengthening relationships and helping parents feel empowered in their role.

Every family is different.

 If you would like to explore whether RDI may be a good fit for your child and family, I offer a free discovery call to discuss your current concerns and what support might be most helpful.