What is RDI® and How Can It Help My Child?

If you’ve recently heard about Relationship Development Intervention® (RDI®) and are wondering how it can support your child, you’re not alone. RDI is a family-centered approach to autism support, developed by clinical psychologist Dr. Steven Gutstein, with the goal of helping children build the foundations for flexible thinking, emotional regulation, and meaningful relationships.

Unlike traditional therapies that focus on isolated skills, RDI emphasizes the development of dynamic intelligence—the ability to think flexibly, handle change, and understand other perspectives. Dr. Gutstein explains, “The most important learning takes place in the context of guided participation in real-life activities, not through instruction or repetitive training.”

Through carefully guided experiences, parents become the primary agents of change, learning how to adjust their communication and interaction style to foster connection, resilience, and independence in their child.