On the Move

In treating children with Autism practicing Pediatric physical therapy or Relationship Development Intervention (RDI), I see core difficulties in children with Autism as they try to manage the challenges of daily life.  One is that they have difficulty negotiating a world that is ever-changing. 

Dr. Steve Gutstein, founder of RDI, says, “Most days hold the promise of ever-changing problems and new challenges. Fresh information leads to solutions we have not previously considered.” 

I considered in my life how it is ever-changing and decided change is more of the rule than staying the same. It always seems that just when I get things figured out,…it changes. Some changes I don’t notice so much. At Trader Joes, they constantly move where the food is that I buy. They stop carrying one item and I have to pick a replacement. The check out line people constantly change. These I cope with easily. Other changes, like the death of my Mother, watching my Father age…and me age… I notice a lot.

I went down to consult in Occupational therapy, Ellen Bruce reminded me how most people don’t eat the same food every day. They may eat at different place, different restaurants, with different plates, different cups for the milk and with different people.

I went down to Speech therapy and Lisa Peterson reminded me how we seldom if ever have the exact same conversation twice. The topic changes, the people, the setting. We may change the words we say or the topics we bring up according to who is present. 

Down at Education Therapy, Dawn Keller told me how with the school year or semesters that classes and teachers change. As we get older, we change classes. Teachers may teach with different styles, different classroom rules, and different emphasis. As soon as we learn one concept in math or spelling, the teacher brings up a new one.

At Psychology, Tina Murphy explained how simple daily life routines change. We may get up earlier or later according to our plans. We may not always come straight home from school. The weekend ritual is different from school days. Some mornings you may have to rush eating your breakfast to catch the school bus. Sometimes Mom may be home for dinner and sometimes not. 

There is a lot of change in life. I remind myself that when it seems like it is changing too fast that change is what makes it exciting and worth living. But change is challenging for people with Autism. RDI helps to build the precursors to these skills. 

You can learn more about autism at www.rdiconnect.com.  If I can help your child with Autism, give me a call. Amy Sturkey 704 332 4834 ext 114.