FLORIDA AUTISM CONSULTANT EARNS CERTIFICATION IN RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT INTERVENTION™

BOCA RATON, FLA., May 17, 2005 – Connections Center of Houston, Texas is pleased to announce the certification of a local autism consultant, Joyce Albu, as a Certified Consultant in the Relationship Development Intervention™ (RDI™) program.

A rigorous process, the Certification Program typically takes 18 months to complete.  Consultants are trained to administer the RDA™ (Relationship Development Assessment™) and provide ongoing support to parents. 

The RDI program is a cognitive model designed to work with children who have Autism Spectrum Disorders by providing consultation to families to address the core deficits, which include flexible thinking, communication, development of self and social/emotional relationships.

“We consider the role of Certified RDI Consultants such as Joyce to be nurturing the primary relationship between parent and child by raising the parents’ level of competence and confidence,” said Dr. Rachelle Sheely, who developed the RDI program with Dr. Steven Gutstein in 2001 and oversees the RDI Certification Program. “Most parents run into challenges from time to time, so having an ongoing relationship with a Consultant who knows their family can make a big difference.”

Joyce Albu can be reached at:

The Center for Precious Minds
Director of Autism Services
7000 West Camino Real Blvd., Suite 210
Boca Raton, Florida 33433
Phone: 561-368-8686
Email: aut2teach@aol.com

About Connections Center
Established in 1995, the Connections Center for Family and Personal Development, based in Houston, is a multi-disciplinary program to develop innovative evaluation and intervention programs for people with relationship disorders. Led by Dr. Steve Gutstein and Dr. Rachelle K. Sheely, the Connections Center staff provides a full range of evaluation and treatment services, including RDI™ Program. They provide education and training to families and professionals worldwide. More information is available at www.rdiconnect.com.

###

Editors Note: download a photo of Ms. Albu at: http://www.keeneypr.com/files/9