RDI is a parent-based therapy based on the idea that the core social difficulties of autism—rigid thinking, aversion to change, inability to understand other people's perspective, and failure to empathize— must be addressed to improve the social quality of the person's life. RDI is primarily a social intervention that focuses on building relationships, gaining friendships, feeling empathy, expressing love, and sharing experiences with others.

RDI is based on the work of Dr. Steven Gottstein, a clinical psychologist whose research in the development of typical children led to his findings that people on the autism spectrum lacked what he termed “dynamic intelligence,” the ability to successfully manage changing real life relationships and environments.

In the study Evaluation of the relationship development intervention program researchers monitored 16 children who participated in RDI therapy from 2000 to 2005. The study observed the children, looked at school placement, and gathered parent thoughts on the child's progress. While all children met ADOS/ADI-R criteria for autism prior to treatment, no child met the criteria at follow-up.

For more information on RDI visit RDI Connect.