Bettelheim and RDI

A study on the nature of AutismBy Chloe Bennett and Emilie Routt

What was the Study?

Through observations of the RDI method and study of the information on RDI and Bettelheim’s studies, we attempted to define similarities and differences between RDI’s program and Bettelheim’s program and their effectiveness in treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders.

What is ASD?

• “qualitative impairment in social interaction”

• Communication that includes “restricted repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior, interests and activities” and “Delays or abnormal functioning in at least one of the following areas, with onset prior to age three years: (A) social interaction, (B) language as used in social communication, (C) symbolic or imaginative play.”

Journey Learning Center

• Preschool for children with ASD

• Grapevine, TX• Joanne Ferguson and Amy

Thomas• Programs: speech therapy,

occupational therapy (at Journey Pediatric Rehab), Therapeutic Listening, RDI (Relationship Development Intervention) and ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis)

RDI

• Relationship Development Intervention

• Basis in science• Dynamic intelligence

Bettelheim

• 1903-1990• 1932 - Took into his

home a girl suffering from Autism

• 1938-39 Put into a concentration camp

• 1944 – Took over the Orthogenic school in Chicago

Bettelheim’s Approach

• Lack of developed autonomy due to treatment of the mother

• Created an environment in which autonomy is encouraged through the basis of phenomenology

Observation

Jonah and Silas• Nap• Snack• Play

– Structured– Imaginative

Program Comparison

Bettelheim• Basis in

phenomenology (philosophy)

• Formation of autonomy and perceptions

RDI• Basis in

Neuroscience (science)

• Formation of types of intelligences

Both, however, are valid treatments directly addressing the child’s needs and creating learning environments in which a child with ASD may more easily grow and develop.

Conclusion

It was too difficult to compare the two programs, dissimilar as they are, to reach an accurate conclusion. That being said, however, both programs are excellent treatments and share a common method in that they create environments in which a child with ASD may develop more easily. This study, in our minds, ended up being more a fact-finding mission than anything else.

Problems with the Study

• Programs were too dissimilar.

• RDI is a very young program: no studies on RDI, very little data apart from our own observations.

• Bettelheim’s study impossible to recreate for comparison.

Nature/Nurture