Reaching Those with Least Access
to Autism Intervention
Relationship Restoration Strategies (RRS) exists to increase quality of life for children with autism and their caregivers in nations or regions with little access to effective interventions.
The biggest hole in the family of a child with autism is the lack of a guiding relationship between a parent and their child, even if the child has managed to develop some skills. Without a guiding relationship and in a context of little to no hope, children in war-torn, or impoverished nations with poor access to autism intervention are often subject to abuse as a desperate means through which to manage their behavior. Interventionists in these regions are overwhelmed and ill-equipped, and heartbreaking need far exceeds their preparedness, capacity, or resources. The urgency for intervention is felt by individual children trapped in a hell created by an ignorant misunderstanding of their autism, and the lack of skilled services available to their families.
Development of a guiding relationship between a parent and their child with autism is critical for cognitive growth. Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) is a means by which caregivers can remediate the core deficits of autism simply by using the thousands of daily interactions which occur naturally in one’s home life. What is missing is an understanding of how to use these interactions constructively.
Relationship Restoration Strategies (RRS) introduces the guiding principles behind RDI® to the least accessible global autism community bringing cognitive development keys to reconnect parents with their children. No other organization provides this unique intervention model, which is applicable without the need for strong medical infrastructure, government support, or generous resources allotted for autism intervention.
Our long-term vision is to transform the trajectory of autism intervention on national levels, to put nations with the least access in the lead through effective strategies which do not require extensive funding or infrastructure.
Development of a guiding relationship between a parent and their child with autism is critical for cognitive growth. Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) is a means by which caregivers can remediate the core deficits of autism simply by using the thousands of daily interactions which occur naturally in one’s home life. What is missing is an understanding of how to use these interactions constructively.
Relationship Restoration Strategies (RRS) introduces the guiding principles behind RDI® to the least accessible global autism community bringing cognitive development keys to reconnect parents with their children. No other organization provides this unique intervention model, which is applicable without the need for strong medical infrastructure, government support, or generous resources allotted for autism intervention.
Our long-term vision is to transform the trajectory of autism intervention on national levels, to put nations with the least access in the lead through effective strategies which do not require extensive funding or infrastructure.
RRS Leadership Team
Blending professional experience with passion for the under-served and marginalized
Melanie Boudreau
Founder, RRS |
Dr. Rachelle Sheely
Co-Founder, RDI® |
Current Projects
Iraq Initiative: 2021
Dr. Shareef of Kurdistan is the founder of autism recognition and intervention in Iraq. He describes a bleak situation with psychiatrists and pediatricians unaware how to treat autism, and medical schools neglecting training.
Consequently, many children with autism in Iraq are tranquilized, and many suffer abuse from ill-equipped parents desperate to manage behaviors. Dr. Shareef sees 70 patients a day of various disabilities with a waiting list of 500 children for his pediatric clinic.
In Iraq, Dr. Shareef is standing by for funding from RRS to schedule training events to equip pediatricians, medical students, psychiatrists, educators, caregivers and parents to bring relief to families in this war-torn nation.
RRS plans to teach in Kurdistan are on hold until the State Department approves travel. With funding, RRS will bring critically needed training to this region as soon as possible.
Dr. Shareef has begun his RDI certification training. However, emergency COVID-19 intervention has delayed his progress. He is committed to finishing the RDI certification program and stays in regular contact with RRS.
Consequently, many children with autism in Iraq are tranquilized, and many suffer abuse from ill-equipped parents desperate to manage behaviors. Dr. Shareef sees 70 patients a day of various disabilities with a waiting list of 500 children for his pediatric clinic.
In Iraq, Dr. Shareef is standing by for funding from RRS to schedule training events to equip pediatricians, medical students, psychiatrists, educators, caregivers and parents to bring relief to families in this war-torn nation.
RRS plans to teach in Kurdistan are on hold until the State Department approves travel. With funding, RRS will bring critically needed training to this region as soon as possible.
Dr. Shareef has begun his RDI certification training. However, emergency COVID-19 intervention has delayed his progress. He is committed to finishing the RDI certification program and stays in regular contact with RRS.
Pan-African Congress on Autism: 2021
The spring 2020 Pan African Congress on Autism was canceled due to Covid -19. Dr. Rachelle Sheely was scheduled to deliver a plenary talk introducing the continent of Africa to RDI. Melanie Boudreau was approved to teach a workshop addressing stigmatization of those with autism.
Because this conference is attended by key interventionists from all over the continent of Africa, RRS considers participation of upmost importance in moving toward our goal of shifting the trajectory of autism intervention on national levels.
Additionally, disability advocacy conferences with community leaders were scheduled for both Ghana and neighboring Togo. Plans were in development to speak with representatives from the Ministry of Heath in Togo to discuss national intervention models for those impacted by autism.
With the announcement of the next conference dates for the Pan African Congress on Autism, RRS hopes to immediately begin to plan participation and the rescheduling of complementary advocacy meetings for community leaders.
Because this conference is attended by key interventionists from all over the continent of Africa, RRS considers participation of upmost importance in moving toward our goal of shifting the trajectory of autism intervention on national levels.
Additionally, disability advocacy conferences with community leaders were scheduled for both Ghana and neighboring Togo. Plans were in development to speak with representatives from the Ministry of Heath in Togo to discuss national intervention models for those impacted by autism.
With the announcement of the next conference dates for the Pan African Congress on Autism, RRS hopes to immediately begin to plan participation and the rescheduling of complementary advocacy meetings for community leaders.
Funding Needs
Help Bring Hope to Families with the Least Access to Autism Intervention
Your donation can help. Imagine parents supported by local interventionists with skills advocating for their children with autism while using daily interactions to remediate the core deficits of autism. Together, we can paint a new picture.
Project Activities:
Anticipated Outcomes:
Project Activities:
- Sponsorship for RDI® certification for key professionals
- Provision of RDI® lectures for pediatricians, medical students, psychiatrists, educators, other medical professionals, caregivers, and parents
- Community advocacy meetings
Anticipated Outcomes:
- Caregivers develop Guiding Relationships® with children with autism, who then develop cognitively, while escaping cycles of abuse
- RDI® certified key professionals become advocates for true remediation of autism, catalyzing change through inspiring other professionals to action
- Autism intervention moves away from both sanctioned and unsanctioned abuse towards a true remedial model of intervention
- Families impacted by disabilities and Autism Spectrum Conditions experience greater inclusion and less stigma
RRS is building on a history of success in past engagements. Visit our gallery of Projects.
Contact Us
|
|