Mili-rdi

[froggy]

Hi, I've been posting infrequently here since my son's dx in '01. I was Mommasboy. Anyway, I'm in Cheeseland too and wondered if you did an RDI consult with someone in state. From the rdi website I see there is only one person around the Milwaukee area.

[Pamster]

Hi froggy,

Mili does go to see an RDI Consultant. She's probably been busy. ;) But I too have been trying it with my son and things are moving forward. But things haven't been easy either. Too much to go into right here but I wanted to post as Mili's friend that I knew she was seeing one nearby within a couple hours' driving time. :)

[cckids]

I met with a consultant in our area (GrandRapids MI) and found that all of the Autism Consultants form our district work at this private firm also. I can't see paying an extra $1000 for video reviews and suggestions. I think by reading and utilizing what you read and working on the PT and OT suggestions for home you can get much of the same effect.

Just my 2 cents

[milivica]

Hey froggy...didn't even know you posted this here. I know you already read the posts on the other site.

I dunno if I should be here or there???

cckids, the videos are one of the best parts of the program. You absolutely cannot self monitor - the consultant is constantly picking up things I do not both from myself and my son. She's trained in RDI, and I'm telling you as I live and breathe, until RDI I never realized all the hopes and dreams I had for my son, were still his to have. My only catch...currently my consultant is working on a program for me, cause obviously I can't pass on attributes I don't have being on the spectrum as well myself.

In theory, RDI seems so simple, but it isn't. Human development isn't simple. Applying typical development in a form that kids on the spectrum can develop and gain from it takes a training. Anyone can get a child to look at them, that's what I call a parlor trick. I want my son to look into my eyes cause it is automatic for him because he gets information from them, from my face, from my body language. I really have no idea how to teach him that.

I used to think people could do RDI without a consultant, but now I think you could only do some aspects of it. The theory behind RDI is the most solid I've ever seen. But applying it to your child, wow, not so easy.

It's easy to feel a program is milking you, this isn't a program like that. I love getting feedback from the videos, and like to make a copy for me to see when I get the feedback back, so I can SEE what my consultant is saying. I love that kind of monitoring, so I know when I'm on track or straying off. Also, I'm guessing it has something to do with being a program that can be funded...cause the videos monitor progress, you know all that stuff that has to be documented so the program is covered.

I hope you give RDI a shot. I counting on it forever improving my life, my son's life, and in doing so our whole family's life.

[froggy]

Hi,
Thanks for the replies guys. Mili, I did get in contact with Amy, chatted a bit, she seems confident. You were right, RDI is only covered in the post-intensive, bummed about that. Might have to look for someone else as our insurance seems to cover for therapists that are degreed with a title (ot, st I'm assuming). Still, we don't have tons of choice in the area, so it might be just as well to pay her out of pocket than to have to fly somewhere for the RDA. I ordered the DVD.

[milivica]

I'm SO PLEASED you called Amy!!! Hey froggy do me a favor, pm me or just post here, what your insurance company is. I read on one of the RDI sites I go to (you have to be IN rdi to go on the site) that United Health Care covers 75%. I'd like to post a question there about coverage with your insurance. If you want me to I mean. The absolute max RDI would cost (with 2 assessments per year) would be about $5,000. With 75% coverage, that would be somewhere around $100/month, so not completely hellish.

That stinks you can't be covered in intensive. Would actually cost far less to the state to do RDI than any other program for Pete sakes.

Again, I'm so glad you spoke to Amy. With the school problems lately, she offered to do a conference call...I mean, she really is in this to help each child and their parents. She just finished some Wright's Law course, and is offering a three hour thing to her clients (I doubt I'd go being as I'm out of state).

Well, let's knock around an idea or two, let's see what we can figure out...can you tell what a miser I am, I don't even want to spend YOUR money, hee hee. Not if there's some way you could be covered.

Then you can take all your spare cash, fuel up and visit us :D

Mili

[froggy]

Mil, I pm'd you.

[milivica]

I pm'd you back