Like many of you, we absolutely fell in love with this recent viral video of a store clerk in Baton Rouge, LA indulging a teen customer on the ASD spectrum with his passion for stocking shelves. In and of itself it is a heart warming affirmation of all that is good with  humanity, but we couldn’t help but notice that is also provides a beautiful example of the principals of the Guiding Relationship in a real world setting.

Some of our veteran RDI parents reading this may recognize many fundamental RDI techniques and practices in this brief engagement.  Clear, active and inter-dependent role assignments are in play with one partner acting as the lead and another in the apprentice role.  A slow paced, mutually understood dynamic pattern is used to provide the apprentice with a sense of familiarity and competence.   The clerk, Jordan Taylor instinctively knows to simplify his actions to a level that his apprentice is comfortable with, eliminating any anxiety he may be feeling and encouraging in him the sense of competence.   Jordan is in a position to introduce small disruptions to their passing activity that cognitively challenge his partner to problem-solve his way out of the situation.  Ultimately, the clerk has taken one small, but important step in guiding this young man towards the development of a growth-seeking mindset.

Another take-away from this episode is for all of you parents new to RDI who may be wondering how and when you are possibly going to find time to perform RDI with their child. This episode provides a wonderful example of how remediation can happen anytime or anywhere, once you’ve learned how to recognize opportunities when they present themselves.  Something as simple as putting groceries away, washing a car or moving a recycling bin together can be turned into an occasion for remediation. So rather than thinking up new activities to add to your schedule, start by looking at what your family is already doing on a day to day basis and consider how you might restructure that activity to become a moment for growth.