RDI-ers

[Jimjams2]

I have a friend who may be interested in RDI for her dd with AS (who is currently out of school). Do you know of any LEA's funding RDI ? Also any UK based consultants?? I think my friend may see the cost and keel over, how easy is it to do part time- by which I mean will consultants work with families who are doing it part time (do you do it part time if its all lifestyle anyway??)

many thanks!

Have you contacted Sharon B-A? She was training as a consultant and lives in Maidenhead (or thereabouts). I won't put her full name here. I can give you her email address privately. I have not heard of RDI being funded but Sharon would know. I also know another parent who is using RDI (HF child) and may have some info, let me know if you want contacts.

There's a consultant in training called Elisa Al Malah whose website is at www.thinkautism.co.uk. She posts her name on the site, so I think it's OK to mention it here. I contacted her when we were thinking of doing RDI and she's kept in touch by e-mail. Obviously have no idea what she's like, but I liked the fact that she was very unpushy with us, and has continued to keep us informed even though we've decided to go down another route.

There's one qualified consultant in England (then the two that Sphil and Davros mentioned are both still in training). Although S B-A has been let down by her supervision family so she is pretty much qualified but has to go through another supervision case. There are also at least 4 US consultants who come over. I happen to know of two who are coming over in the next month - three months. One of them is English so she comes regularly to visit family and so doesn't charge travel expenses. CAT me if you want more details.

In terms of the cost it depends a bit on the consultant - I can send you some examples of costs also. Some give you the choice of how much supervision they give you which can cut the cost down. It is as part time or not as you choose - they are trying to make it quite lifestyle for everyone, but it depends a bit on the child. We have found that we need to do some "lab" sessions with Ds2 because his motor skills are not up to so many lifestyle type activities. The thing would be to discuss with the consultant before making any commitment.

Think it is highly unlikely that any LEA would fund RDI at this stage.

Actually JJ I have just remembered I have your email address so will send you the stuff.

Thank you all. I was sure I'd heard of an LEA funding RDI. But i do live in a dream world half the time There is no specilaist provision for HFA here I will pass on details to my friend.