FREE LIVE WEBINAR
How to Build Thinking, Understanding and
Independence in Autism
Through the RDI® Relationship-Based Approach
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
7:00–8:15 PM UK time | Live Online via Zoom | FREE
For professionals, educators, parents and carers supporting autistic children and young people
Why attend?
Perhaps you support an autistic child or young person who knows a great deal, but still frequently relies on an adult to tell them what to do, how to solve a problem or what happens next.
Perhaps you find yourself wondering:
How can we provide support while still creating space for the child to think for themselves?
How do we build competence rather than dependence on adult prompts and instructions?
How can we help a child become more flexible and independent when circumstances change?
How can we use relationships as a space for development — not simply as a way of providing help?
This webinar invites us to move beyond asking:
“What else do we need to teach this child?”
and begin asking:
“What developmental capacities do we need to build so that this child can think, understand, adapt and navigate everyday life with greater independence?”
What will you discover?
During this webinar, we will explore:
How to encourage a child to think, rather than simply wait for an adult’s answer or instruction
How to support genuine understanding, rather than only teaching learned answers and routines
How a child’s sense of competence develops over time
Why flexibility, adaptation and problem-solving are so important for navigating everyday life
How to provide support while leaving enough space for a child to explore, try, make mistakes and discover solutions
How relationships contribute to the development of thinking, understanding and independence
Why regulation and co-regulation provide an important foundation for development
What dynamic intelligence is and why it matters when life is changing and cannot be predicted in advance
How professionals, educators, parents and carers can create more everyday opportunities to develop competence, flexibility and greater independence
Real-life examples
I will also share practical examples from my work to help connect these developmental ideas with real situations that arise when supporting autistic children, young people and their families.
Who is this webinar for?
This webinar is for professionals, educators, parents and carers who want to deepen their understanding of autistic development and explore a developmental, relationship-based approach.
It may be particularly relevant for:
Teachers • SENCOs • SEND Professionals • Teaching Assistants • 1:1 Assistants • Social Workers • Psychologists • BCBAs • BCaBAs • Behaviour Practitioners • Speech and Language Therapists • Occupational Therapists • Autism Practitioners • Early Years Professionals • Support Workers • Counsellors • Coaches • and other professionals supporting autistic children, young people and their families
Parents and carers are warmly invited to join.
No previous knowledge or experience of RDI® is required.
What is RDI®?
Relationship Development Intervention (RDI®) is a developmental, relationship-based approach to autism.
RDI® places particular emphasis on relationships as a context for development and on building capacities that help autistic children and young people navigate a world that is dynamic, changing and often unpredictable.
During the webinar, we will explore some of the developmental principles behind RDI® and consider how they can inform the way we understand and support development in everyday life.
About Your Presenter
Andreja Stefulj, M.Ed.
RDI® Consultant and Trainer
Director of RDI® Professional Training UK & Europe
Supporting the whole person — mind, brain, body and meaningful connection
Andreja’s approach is integrative, developmental and relationship-based, bringing together RDI®, neuroscience, brain and nervous system development, mindfulness and practical guidance for everyday life.
She works with autistic children and young people, parents, educators and professionals, focusing on relationship development, regulation, dynamic intelligence, flexible thinking and independence.
At the heart of her work is using relationships as a powerful context for development — helping individuals build the capacity to think, understand, adapt, connect and navigate everyday life with greater confidence and independence.
Ready to Join Us?
Discover a different way of thinking about autistic development — one that places relationships, thinking, understanding, flexibility and growing independence at the heart of everyday interactions.
Whether you are a professional, educator, parent or carer, this free webinar will offer a developmental perspective and practical ideas you can take into your work and everyday life.
How to Build Thinking, Understanding and Independence in Autism
Through the RDI® Relationship-Based Approach
Wednesday, 7 October 2026
7:00–8:15 PM UK time
Live Online via Zoom | FREE
Andreja Štefulj, M.Ed.
Professor | RDI® Consultant and Trainer
Director of RDI® Professional Education UK & Europe