Consultants
What is so important about RDI Consultants
We support you on your journey. We walk beside you, guiding you as you guide your child or family member.
Assessment
RDI consultants guide parents to gradually unravel the very complex problem of understanding how to help their vulnerable child. An initial RDI video assessment and a detailed history includes awareness of co-occurring conditions and developmental obstacles. With this information the consultant is able to collaborate with parents about their beginning goals. Consultants continue to spend the time and effort to really understand each child’s developmental readiness, unique way of thinking, strengths and challenges. It is an ongoing process.
A Vital Perspective
Consultants offer a vital third-party perspective on family dynamics, program progress and potential obstacles to growth. They also serve as mentors and coaches who help parents maintain focus throughout the RDI journey.
A Collaboration
RDI Consultants recognise that parents are the ones who know their child and their family best. Their aim is always to transfer their knowledge to the parents so that they themselves become obsolete. RDI welcomes the contribution of other services working with the family and facilitates this by providing the opportunity for them to be part of the family’s private site on the RDI online learning system. RDI Consultants liaise with teachers and therapists, visiting schools and meeting with families and their team. The consultant will present RDI in ways best suited to the person. With teens and adults, this sometimes means working directly with them, with them and their family, or, sometimes just with the family.
I strongly believe that parents are the best therapists for their children and cannot be replaced by an expert.
Chyntia Poedjokerto
The primary goal of the RDI consultant is to give power back to the parents.
We believe that making lasting, meaningful and lifelong changes begins at home with the child’s parents. The remediation process ideally takes place amidst each family’s unique culture and relationships.
RDI Consultants guide parents and primary care-givers to assist your child or family member to embrace change and so open the door to learning about themselves, the world and the people in it. We support you to use more dynamic and complex thinking and feel safe enough to explore and grow.
Families are supported to use daily routines, activities and interactions to give their child the experience of connection and competence.The person with autism is then in a position to embrace change and so learn to have a satisfying place in complex modern life.
Funding
National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)
Many clients use NDIS funding for their RDI programs. Some RDI consultants have registered as NDIS Providers and can be paid through NDIA. Choosing to Self Manage or use a Plan Manager for at least of the RDI part of your plan, will allow you to easily pay your accounts for those consultants not registered as Providers. We suggest that you contact your preferred RDI consultant before you meet with your Planner so that you can be guided through your request for RDI.
Medicare
You may receive some reimbursement using a Medicare Plan set up by your GP, Paediatrician or Psychiatrist if you work with RDI Consultants who are also allied health professionals (Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists).
Private Health Funds
Your Private Health Fund may offer some reimbursement if you are working with RDI Consultants who are also allied health professionals (Speech Pathologists, Psychologists, Occupational Therapists).
Choosing your Consultant
Our RDI Consultants are spread around Australia. You may decide to work with the consultant who is closest to you. However, distance doesn’t need to determine who you choose. Since we meet with the parents of children, as well as teens and adults, in a coaching type of role, RDI works well via video conferencing. You provide video clips of your interactions so that we can understand what’s happening and monitor progress.
All our consultants can meet with you via video link, so if you have reliable internet you can contact any of the consultants to discuss if their availability matches yours. You might also like to find out about their fee structure, experience and qualifications, and in the process, get a sense of how comfortable you are talking with them.
Our Consultants
-
Donna Milne
Victoria – RDI® Program Certified Consultant
I have a science background so that when my first child was diagnosed with autism I was right away thinking “what can we do about this”. We live in a rural location in Victoria where direct services are not that prevalent… -
Fleta Pohlner
Victoria – RDI® Program Certified Consultant & Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
I am a Senior Speech Pathologist who works in private practice from our farm homestead, between Nhill and Horsham, in Western Victoria. I have a passion for assisting children with Autism to reach their potential. -
Alissa Gargano
New South Wales – RDI® Program Consultant & Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
I am a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (Advanced Practitioner in Autism Intervention) with a special interest in supporting communication of children of all ages and abilities. -
Roslyn Fenton
New South Wales – RDI® Program Certified Consultant & Registered Occupational Therapist
I have been working for over 20 years as an Occupational Therapist with children, and adults with a variety of challenges including autism spectrum disorder… -
Jo Fokkes
New South Wales – RDI® Program Certified Consultant & Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
I am a senior Certified Practising Speech Pathologist (Advanced Practitioner in Autism Intervention), who works in my own practice in Lane Cove, Sydney where I specialise in the treatment of Autism in children and adults. -
Elizabeth Barboza
New South Wales – RDI® Program Certified Consultant & Special Educator
I come from a Special Education background. I have worked as a teacher, lecturer and also as a Tertiary Supervisor, for teachers and special educators in mainstream training and also in autism. -
Lynne Bullen
New South Wales – RDI® Program Certified Consultant & Registered Occupational Therapist
I love working as a Relationship Development Intervention consultant and seeing the difference it makes for families. -
Nerida Maclean
Queensland – RDI® Program Certified Consultant & Certified Practising Speech Pathologist
As a Speech Language Pathologist (Advanced Practitioner in Autism Intervention), I have many years’ experience in supporting families who have a child with complex communication needs. -
Kathleen Bonar
Queensland – RDI® Program Certified Consultant & Registered Nurse
After years of experience as an ABA Consultant with families and special education departments, I have now chosen to devote myself to the developmental side of working with children and families with Autism and Autism Spectrum Disorders. -
Prue Watson
Queensland – RDI® Program Certified Consultant & Registered Occupational Therapist
Relationship Development Intervention approach is aimed at giving parents the necessary understanding and tools to re-establish the guiding relationship for their child.