Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children: Social and Emotional Development Activities for Asperger Syndrome, Autism, PDD and NLD [Paperback]

Steven E. Gutstein (Author), Rachelle K. Sheely (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 15, 2002

Friendship, even for the most able, requires hard work, and the odds are heavily stacked against those with autism spectrum disorders. Designed for younger children, typically between the ages of two and eight, this comprehensive set of activities emphasizes foundation skills such as social referencing, regulating behavior, conversational reciprocity and synchronized actions. The authors include over 300 objectives to plan and evaluate a child's progress, each one related to a specific exercise. Suitable for parental use, the manual is also designed for easy implementation in schools and in therapeutic settings. A comprehensive website acts as companion to the book, free to purchasers.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'The book is applicable for parents of those on the spectrum, children and adults on the spectrum, teachers, counsellors and anyone involved with, and wishing to help, those to whom social skills do not come naturally... The book is divided into sex levels from novice right through to partner. Each chapter has a similar format which makes it familiar and easy to use. After an initial summary and explanation about the purpose of the section, plus coaching tips, a series of worksheets and activities are provided with clear objectives and instructions. Creative coaches can adapt and extend many of the ideas. Each sheet has a simple objective e.g. In the novice stage, developing attentiveness to communication is a formative skill... Overall this is an extremely useful book with some stimulating and enjoyable exercises that could easily be used as the bases for a parent-let group. Many of the exercises could be carried out by motivated individuals with one or more willing partners. This is good value for money due to the quality and number of worksheets.'- AS Teens'The book contains step by step well laid out activities to teach and encourage skills such as attending, social referencing, improvisation, co-creativity and collaborating, among many others. It is a very much a user friendly `manual' and will be great for planning play dates. The first book is aimed at ages 2 - 8' - Peach'This Publication is much more than a book, it is a prescription of detailed objective-based interventions in developmental progression for children aged 2 to 8 to develop friendships, relationships and appropriate social behaviour. This manual is suitable for parental use and is an excellent frame of reference to adopt when working with children to acquire relationship skills. It discreetly covers attention, motivation, eye contact and management. This book is not the fix-it model for relationship difficulties, but I fail to see how even implementing one of the activities could not have a positive outcome for both child and therapist.'- NAPOT'It provides a wealth of activities, following a developmental model, for therapists, teachers and parents. The authors suggest that children with autism do not develop friendships just by being among peers, but need strategies and activities to develop the foundations of social referencing, regulation of their own behaviour, and practice in becoming a social partner. The activities focus on teaching the child how to see others as real people, develop a curiosity for social interaction, become a team member, and adapt in social settings. Although some initial activities are a little unorthodox, they are fun and designed to provide the scaffolding needed to teach relationship skills.'- Bulletin

About the Author

Clinical Psychologists and husband/wife team Steven Gutstein and Rachelle Sheely are founders of the internationally known Connections Center for Relationship Development and the Monarch Therapeutic School. Dr. Gutstein, author of Autism/Aspergers: Solving the Relationship Puzzle and Dr. Sheely, a nationally respected expert in Autism, reside in Houston, Texas with their two daughters Esther and Hannah. Dr. Gutstein has spent over twenty years as a professor, researcher and clinician, creating powerful tools for social and emotional growth.

Product Details

• Paperback: 331 pages
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Pub; 1 edition (February 15, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1843107147
• ISBN-13: 978-1843107149
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 0.8 x 11.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #62,167 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #5 in Books > Law > Specialties > Disability
  • #22 in Books > Education & Reference > Schools & Teaching > Special Education > Behavioral Disorders

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

75 of 79 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Friendships Are Relationships May 10, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Paperback

I found Drs. Gutstein and Sheely's new book very helpful for implementing the Relationship Development Intervention curriculum for our son who has Asperger's.

The Activities were presented in a very user friendly format in a step-by-step manner. The corresponding Objectives were clearly stated, and it will be easy to monitor his progress. I know that these objectives will be beneficial when planning for his IEP at school next year.

I've always wished that our son came with a manual....well now I've got one. Thanks.

28 of 32 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars After reading so much, finally what I needed November 6, 2004

By Nice Norway

Format:Paperback

As a mother of two, I like to help my kids, in everyway posible, to grow up as wholesome happy persons. I have a 3 year old who at home is a normal kid, but at school, parties or just anywhere else she won't speak and is in a constant state of panic and anxiety. I have read so many books on anxiety and other related pathologies without finding a real way to help her. This wonderful program RDI has helped my daughter in an incredible way! She is now a happier child, communicates more with all her family and extended family. And she is starting to make friends and interact with other children and adults just like any other kid. I am also using the program with my older daughter to help her in the building of her friendships. This book is not just for autistic kids.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for parents and clinicians of ASD youth March 10, 2007

By J. L. Horn

Format:Paperback

The title of thie book is a little misleading, as the book is not really a downward age-extension of Gutstein's other RDI book but an expansion of exercises useful for the first 3 stages of RDI. Therefore, it is THE book for most parents of children with ASD, as usually these are the stages you end up starting with/on when doing the RDI exercises with your child. And, having more than double the options for the exercises is very helpful. I strongly recommend this book.