Capacity and skill building for Autistic children and teens, and those with other developmental differences
Emotional, social, and mental growth through authentic relationships and everyday activities
Family centred approach focused on empowering parents in their role as guide for their child
Our speech-language pathologist is a certified RDI® Program Consultant who has been offering RDI® and related supports to families since 2016.
RDI® might be a good fit for your child and family if you are seeking:
A developmental approach
RDI® explores and addresses the underlying, earliest developing foundations needed for growth in all skill areas. For example, a child can learn to regulate themselves and communicate by first experiencing felt safety, attunement and co-regulation with a trusted guide. A child can manage changes and challenges, solve problems, and make mindful decisions through navigating uncertainty and many shared experiences with their guide.
An approach that is focused on relationship
RDI® is established on the first and essential foundation for growth - the attuned, connected, and safe-feeling relationship between the child and significant adults in their life. It is within these relationships that the child learns about themselves, others and the world around them. Through these relationships, the child develops skills that help them learn and progress toward independence.
Help with emotional attunement and regulation, social connection, communication, perspective-taking, managing uncertainty, and flexibility
RDI® helps the child regulate, engage, and learn through shared experiences by tuning in to feelings and thoughts of others; reading non-verbal cues; communicating for experience sharing and other relational purposes; and thinking in flexible ways to navigate change, challenge, and other uncertainties.
Understanding of your child's differences and why they are struggling
RDI® assists us to better understand your child's behaviour, why they might be struggling, and how to guide them through challenging moments and phases.
An approach that supports you to be the biggest difference maker for your child
RDI® is a family-focused program that offers intensive support, guidance, and education for primary caregivers. Guiding happens in the context of the parent-child relationship and everyday family life experiences. RDI® helps the caregiver tune in to how their child is experiencing the world, helps the child tune in to their parent guide, and makes guided participation and learning possible. This learning naturally extends itself to other contexts and relationships, including peers.
Empowerment for you. Empowerment for your child
RDI® is not about the parent being the therapist, but rather equipping the parent to understand their child's needs, offer essential supports, and embrace their unique and critical role as their child's guide. Your Consultant will empower you to help your child or teen experience authentic and meaningful relationships, navigate new and dynamic experiences, and achieve increased independence. Involvement of other family members, educators and respite providers is encouraged and supported.
Learn More

Call us at 705-253-1157 or email info@ssmopenminds.org
Your privacy matters to us.
Privacy is a fundamental human right that underpins freedom of association, thought and expression, as well as freedom from discrimination. Click below for more information about how we collect, protect and respect your personal health information.
Each of our practices at Open Minds is committed to protecting your privacy and to ensuring that the personal information you provide to us is maintained securely. We will only collect and store personal information that is relevant to the provision of our services. Our privacy policy was developed in accordance with the Personal Health Information Protection Act (PHIPA) and the Personal Information Protection and Electronics Documents Act (PIPEDA).
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.