On the Move

As a Relationship Development Intervention (RDI) Consultant and a Pediatric Physical Therapist here in Charlotte, NC, I've had to learn a great deal about Autism Treatment.  I try to learn all the time.  I read books and attend autism chats on the RDIos (the online community available for people on the RDI path), but one of my favorites is listening to lectures on itunes or U-tube.  It is free and keeps me up to date. You might want to consider it.  I listen while on the treadmill or on long drives out of town. 

One of the concepts I've learned that I really like is an acronym for remembering the core deficits in people with Autism.  Dr. Steve Gutstein from RDIconnect.com talks about how important Dynamic intelligence is.  It "allows us to successfully solve complicated problems, prioritize multiple demands, carry on meaningful relationships, and achieve long term goals.  Jobs, friendships, marriages and most aspects of daily life are primarily 'dynamic' in nature, although each has static elements that must be mastered.  Almost all human communication and interaction occurs during dynamic encounters, they are the things that make us who we are today."* The MESSIER acronym lists the skills needed to negotiate our very complex worlds.  It is as follows:

Multiple
Ever-changing
Simultaneous
Surprising
Imperfect
Emotional
Relative

On future posts, I'll discuss each one of the above challenges in more detail. 

*Quotes and concepts taken from the Messier brochure available from RDIconnect.com