"Introduction to RDI" and "Communication Strategies for Children on the Autism Spectrum"

“Does your child talk but not connect?” “ Does he have rigid expectations or poor peer relationships?” “ Does she struggle with problem solving when things change?”

"Introduction to Relationship Development Intervention" &

"Communication Strategies for Children on the Autism Spectrum"

by Susan Hollar, MS CCC

Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist, Certified RDI Consultant

Date & Time:

Saturday, 24th April 2010, 9:00am until 5:00pm. Lunch and tea breaks will be provided.

Venue:

SWAN Convention Centre, Sunway Medical Centre, 5 Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

MODULE 1:

RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION – WHAT IS RDI?

Often called “the missing link” in autism treatment, Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) is a treatment program aimed at quality of life issues such as independent living, jobs, and friendships. Parents function as the primary interventionists with their children under the direction of the RDI Program Consultant. Learn about this cutting edge intervention through an interactive presentation with video examples.

• Discover the role of parents as mentor and guide
• Explore dynamic vs. static intelligence
• Understand what co-regulation means for development
• Consider ways to introduce perspective-taking
• Learn the difference between Floortime, ABA and RDI

MODULE 2:

COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES FOR CHILDREN WITH AUTISM

Communication skills in children with autism are of deep concern to therapists and parents alike. Often children can’t utilise the words they have available to them, or they struggle in social conversation. Learn what the latest research says about effective strategies for communication development in this population. In this module we will practice strategies to utilise at home or in the office.

• Discover the different modalities of communication
• Learn the number one parent tactic to enhance communication
• Explore “expansions” and “reversals” for communication development
• Understand the critical component repair strategy plays in social communication

About the Speaker

A licensed pediatric speech/language pathologist and certified RDI consultant, Susan Hollar is the owner of Hollar Pediatric Speech and Language. She teaches at the Department of Communication Disorders and Sciences, California State University, Northridge. Mrs. Hollar is the 2009 recipient of the Outstanding Achievement Award of the California Speech and Language Association. Her background includes specialised fellowship training in Clinical Intervention for children with Autism at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles UAP USC.

She currently holds Supervisor level certification in the Relationship Development Intervention by Steven Gutstein, Ph.D. for children with Autism where she trains other professionals in RDI. Ms. Hollar is a frequent presenter at such conferences as the Back to School Autism Conference (2008), Autism Society of America and California Speech and Language Association 2009 as well as interviews on NPR Radio. Recent publications include Communication deficits in Children with Oposconus-Ataxia Due to Childhood Neuroblastoma (Journal of Pediatrics) and Adequacy of Care for Children with Developmental Disabilities in the Los Angeles Area. Mrs. Hollar is the proud parent of a teenager with the diagnosis of Autism.

To register for this series of talks, please contact ANDI Initiative at 012 538 6134 (new number) or at ANDI.Initiative@gmail.com.

This event is organised by ANDI Initiative.

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