My name is Laurel Joss, and I am an RDI® Program Certified Consultant through the Connections Center in Houston, Texas. I am also the parent of a child with autism.
When Alex was first diagnosed, we were devastated. We tried a variety of therapies, including ABA, speech therapy, GFCF diet, and biomedical interventions. While some of these helped, none could remediate the core deficits of Alex's autism.
Since starting RDI® two years ago, Alex has blossomed. He seeks us out for interaction and requests his favorite RDI® games. He plays with his younger brother and watches out for him at the park. He interacts with relatives at family gatherings rather than zoning out to a favorite video. He hugs me and tells me that he loves me.
We still have a long way to go, but for the first time since his diagnosis I am hopeful that Alex can have a real future. A future that includes friendships, socializing, and one day even romantic attachments. Thanks to the groundbreaking work of Dr. Steven Gutstein, this future is once again a possibility for many individuals who live with autism spectrum disorders every day. I decided to become a certified RDI® consultant because I want to give other families what Dr. Gutstein has given to ours, a warm, reciprocal relationship with our son and real hope for his future.