“Relationship Development Intervention – Developing a Guiding Relationship”

Featured in the April, 2025, Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine.

by Brooke Wagner, M.A.
RDI® Program Certified Consultant

An essential first step in Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) is establishing a guiding relationship. 

Parents learn why it is so important and how to do it when they participate in an RDI program. A guiding relationship between a parent and child refers to the parent learning to mindfully and dynamically guide their child to learn and make discoveries through support of meaningful interactions that involve opportunities for growth. These interactions focus on promotion competence, dynamic intelligence, experiences sharing and co-regulation, among other areas. Through this process, the child learns that interactions with his or her parents are enjoyable, motivating and build confidence.

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