Development in the first year of life and RDI
If you are a reader with an interest in RDI, let me direct you to the RDI blog here . I liked this post because it talks about the relationship development in the first 12 months of life. I've been really enjoying watching my baby Coco recently. In just a few months she mastered some basic relationship skills that Bright Eyes took years to get the hang of.
Here's an excerpt:
Eighth Month: You are watching everything that we do, and know that other people are a source to learn from and receive help from. You got a ball stuck the other day, and looked right at me for help - clearly gazing between the ball and me. You are also watching what your sisters are doing and want to do the same thing they are. If they are working on a puzzle, you are trying to play along; and you get upset when you aren't invited to join. Physically, you are beginning to use the army crawl as your primary mode of movement and it's quite effective for you.
Ninth Month: You are so interactive now, and it's more evident that you are crawling with ease. When I come home from work, you immediately crawl up to me for a welcome home hug - which I love! Being able to crawl also means you can be more interactive with games. You now love to play hide and seek - you crawl behind a chair and peek out for my reaction. I love it!
Tenth Month: Curiosity is the theme for this month! Now that you are mobile and can pull yourself up, you want to see everything! When I am in the kitchen working, you are emptying drawers. When I am in the bathroom getting ready, you are pulling everything out of the cupboards. You have been appropriately named "little bother" by your sisters as you are into everything!
Eleventh Month: Separation anxiety is at its peak. You want to me be with mom, dad or one of your grandmas only. Every day you pick a person to be your favorite and you will attach like glue. That person needs to be around you at all times; and if they have to go somewhere, you have to go along or you are very upset. I'm just glad that you have found such a wonderful bond with all of us!
If you are the parent of a child with autism, reading about the developmental progress I'm noticing in my infant may be difficult for you. It may cause you to stop and reflect on the fact that some of these developmental milestones are not yet in place for your child. To me, this is one of the most important reasons to choose Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) as your primary treatment approach. You will learn to guide your child to develop these critical developmental milestones that occur in the early months and years of life. You will receive guidance to understand your child's development in a new way and to begin building the foundations necessary for more advanced communication and relationships. Is your child missing some of the milestones I'm seeing in my son? If so, RDI® can help you fill in those gaps so that you and your child can get back on the neurotypical pathway and have a second chance at development.