Research

  • Peer reviewed research evaluating RDI®:
  • Hobson, J. A. & Gutstein S. E. (2010). The guided participation relationship as a vehicle for change in autism. 

  • Gutstein, S., Burgess, A. & Montfort, K. (2007). Evaluation of the Relationship Development Intervention Program, Autism, 11, 397-411.
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  • Hobson, J. A., Hobson, P., Gutstein, S., Ballarani, A., Bargiota, K. (2008). Caregiver-child relatedness in autism, what changes with intervention? Poster presented at the meeting of the International Meeting for Autism Research.
  • National Standards Report (2009)
  • National Autism Council classifies RDI® as an “emerging treatment”.
  • “Research findings are not the sole factor that should be considered when treatments are selected. The suggestions we make here refer only to the “research findings” component of evidence-based practice and should be only one factor considered when electing treatments.” pg. 75
  • “Emerging treatments should be considered promising and warrant serious consideration if Established Treatments are deemed inappropriate by the decision making team.” pg. 76
  • NAC categorized RDI® as a relationship based developmental approach. RDI® is also a joint attention intervention and a naturalistic teaching strategy; both considered established practices.
  • SUPPORT FOR RDI® in remediating the core deficits of autism in a developmental progression (e.g. joint attention, social communication, and theory of mind)

  • Aldred C, Green J, and Adams C. (2004). A new social communication intervention for children with autism: pilot randomized controlled treatment study suggesting effectiveness. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 45(8), 1420-1430.

  • Mahoney, G., and F. Perales (2005). Relationship-focused early intervention with children with pervasive developmental disorders and other disabilities: a comparative study. Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 26(2), 77-85.
  • Jones E. A., Carr E. G., Feeley K. M. (2006). Multiple effects of joint attention intervention for children with autism. Behavior Modification. Nov. 30(6):782-834.

  • Schertz, H. H., Odom, S. L. (2007). Promoting joint attention in toddlers with autism: a parent-mediated developmental model. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Sept., 37(8) pp. 1562-1575. 

  • Solomon, R., Necheles, J., Ferch, C. & Bruckman, D. (2007). Pilot study of a parent training program for young children with autism: The P.L.A.Y. Project Home Consultation program.  Autism, 11, no.3, 205-224.

  • Howlin, P. (2008). Can children with autism spectrum disorders be helped to acquire a “theory of mind”? Revista de Logopediay Audiologia, Vol. 28(7), 74-89.

  • Whalen, C. and Schreibman, L. (2003). Joint attention training for children with autism using behavior modification procedures. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 44(3) 456-468. 

  • Kasari C, Freeman S, Paparella T. (2006). Joint attention and symbolic play in young children with autism: a randomized controlled intervention study. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, 47(6) 611-20.

  • Siller, M. & Sigman, M. (2008). Modeling longitudinal change in the language abilities of children with autism: parent behaviors and child characteristics as predictors of change. Developmental Psychology, 44(6), 1691-1704.

  • Keen D, Rodger S, Doussin K, Braithwaite M. (2007) Pilot study of the effects of a social-pragmatic intervention on the communication and symbolic play of children with autism.  Autism, 11(1), 63-71. 

  • Tannock, R., Girolametto, L. & Siegal, L. (1992) Language intervention with children who have developmental delays: Effects of an interactive approach. American Journal on Mental Retardation,  97, 145-160.

  • Hobson, J. A., Hobson, P., Gutstein, S., Ballarani, A., Bargiota, K. (2008, April) Caregiver-child relatedness in autism, what changes with intervention? Poster presented at the meeting of the International Meeting for Autism Research.
  • SUPPORT FOR RDI® for improving overall functioning related to ASD  (outcome research: ADOS diagnostic category, special education placement, flexibility, joint attention)


  • Gutstein, S., (2005) Relationship Development Intervention: Developing a Treatment Program to Address the Unique Social and Emotional Deficits in Autism Spectrum Disorder. Autism Spectrum Quarterly, Winter, 8-12. 

  • Gutstein, S., Burgess, A. & Montfort, K. (2007). Evaluation of the Relationship Development Intervention Program. Autism, 11, 397-411.

  • Hobson, J. A., Hobson, P., Gutstein, S., Ballarani, A., Bargiota, K. (2008) Caregiver-child relatedness in autism, what changes with intervention? Poster presented at the meeting of the International Meeting for Autism Research.
  • SUPPORT FOR RDI® for systematically training parents with ongoing consultation and using the parent-child relationship as a natural context for child learning and growth

  • Drew, A., G. Baird, S. Baron-Cohen, A. Cox, V. Slonim, S. Wheelwright, J. Swettenham, B. Berry, and T. Charman. (2002). A pilot randomized control trial of parent training intervention for pre-school children with autism. European Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 11, 266-272.

  • Aldred, C., Green, J., and Adams, C. (2004). A new social communication intervention for children with autism: pilot randomized controlled treatment study suggesting effectiveness. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry, 45(8), 1420-30.

  • Jones E. A., Carr E. G., Feeley K. M. (2006). Multiple effects of joint attention intervention for children with autism.  Behavior Modification. Nov. 30(6):782-834.

  • Schertz, H. H., Odom, S. L. (2007). Promoting joint attention in toddlers with autism: a parent-mediated developmental model. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders. Sept. 37(8) pp. 1562-1575. 

  • Solomon, R., Necheles, J., Ferch, C. & Bruckman, D. (2007). Pilot study of a parent training program for young children with autism: The P.L.A.Y. Project Home Consultation program.  Autism 11, no. 3, 205-224.

  • Mahoney, G., and F. Perales (2005). Relationship-focused early intervention with children with pervasive developmental disorders and other disabilities: a comparative study.   Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, 26(2), 77-85.

  • McConachie H., Diggle T. (2007), Parent implemented early intervention for young children with autism spectrum disorder: a systematic review.  Journal of Evaluation in Clinical Practice.  Feb, 13(1), 120-9.


  • McConachie, H., Randle, V., Hammal, D., & Le Couteur, A. (2005). A controlled trial of a training course for parents of children with suspected autism spectrum disorder. Journal of Pediatrics, 147(3), 335-340.
  • SUPPORT FOR RDI® for intervening in the child and family’s natural environment by incorporating intervention into daily routines that account for caregiver needs and child functioning.

  • Aldred, C., Green, J., and Adams, C. (2004). A new social communication intervention for children with autism: pilot randomized controlled treatment study suggesting effectiveness. Journal of Child Psychology & Psychiatry 45(8), 1420-1430.

  • Prizant, B. (2009). Creating a culture of family-centered practice for the autism community, Autism Spectrum Quarterly, Summer, 30-33.  

  • Prizant, B. (2008). Treatment Options and Parent Choice: An Individualized Approach to Intervention, Autism Spectrum Quarterly, Winter, 34-37.​