Relationship Development Intervention with Young Children

Clinical Psychologists and husband/wife team Steven Gutstein and Rachelle Sheely are founders of the internationally known Connections Center for Relationship Development. Steven Gutstein is the author of Autism/Aspergers's: Solving the Relationship Puzzle.

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.

• Activities. 1. Introduction 2. Friendships are Relationships 3. Relationship Development Intervention (RDI). Level I: Novice. Stage 1. Attend. Stage 2. Reference. Stage 3. Regulate. Stage 4. Coordinate. Level II: Apprentice. Stage 5. Variation. Stage 6. Transformation. Stage 7. Synchronization. Stage 8. Duets. Level III: Challenger. Stage 9. Collaboration. Stage 10. Improvisation. Stage 11. Co-Creation. Stage 12. Running Mates. Appendix A: Progress Tracking Form. Topic Index for Activities. Levels and Stages of the Complete RDI Program.