10 things to know about DIR/Floortime therapy and why you should consider it.

As a parent with a child who has  developmental differences you may feel overwhelmed.  There are so many types of therapies out there and you only want the best for your child.  You Google all sorts of key words and a litany of therapy choices is displayed.  Where do you begin?

Unfortunately or fortunately (depending on how you look at it) there is no one size fits all answer).

Just to make things a little easier, here are 10 reasons who you might consider using a DIR/FloorTime professional to guide your journey.

1. DIR (Developmental, individual, relationship) therapy is an amazing therapy with a focus on the relationship between parent and child.  The awesome thing about it is that research has shown that even 1 hour of DIR therapy per day will significantly improve attention and initiation in kids with developmental challenges.
2. DIR interventions can be used with any child at any age– there is no specific diagnosis or age that it works with.  Any child at any age who have developmental differences will benefit from it.
3. It starts with observation: The journey forward in DIR starts with an observation of you and your child playing.  The therapist will provide different media, toys, games to play with and observe the areas the child has mastered and his or her challenges.
4. “FloorTime” is a set of specific therapy techniques:  Once the therapist and caregiver have determined what goals are to be worked on; they begin embark on a journey using purposeful therapy techniques in play and everyday interactions that help the child  to master these goals.
5. DIR FloorTime is research based.  I said this before, but let’s says it again.  There is a growing body of evidence from all different fields including occupational therapy, speech therapy, developmental neurology and mental health.  Strong evidence exists to support the effectiveness of DIR in improving some of the core challenges for children on the Autism spectrum.  (relating, interacting, communicating) and bonus- also decreasing caregiver stress levels and improving parent- child relationships.  (link)
6.  DIR/FloorTime is a whole child approach.  During floorTime therapy, developmental skills are worked on through natural and meaningful interactions. This is different from behavioral therapy approaches which target specific behaviors in isolation. Working on developmental capacities in a natural way -through play and daily interactions help your child to develop social, emotional and thinking skills which stay with them across a range of situations. (not just during therapy only situations).
7.  Caregivers and therapists collaborate.   Parents play a vital role in their child’s development. Professionals are available to help coach and support each child’s development. Caregivers are the only people in the child’s world with an intimate knowledge of the child from birth. The DIR/FloorTime approach recognizes the importance of the caregiver’s knowledge and years of experience with that child.
8. FloorTime integrates everyday moments.  The coaching opportunities offered during a FloorTime session with parents and caregiver allow parents to utilize the techniques woven into everyday situations. On average, a child will receive therapy 1-2 hours per week but caregivers spend over 40 hours each week in natural opportunities with a child. As development occurs best through natural and daily interactions, DIR/FloorTime teaches caregivers how to use everyday moments to support their child’s development.
9. DIR/FloorTime uses emotions to connect the brain.   MRI studies now show evidence that emotion plays a key role in connecting different parts of the brain. When we engage in FloorTime interactions with our child on their interests, new neural connections are formed.  We are joining in on what they are interested in and from this, the child experiences feelings of being engaged, interested and motivated in these feelings. This lays new neural connections across all parts of the brain.
10. DIR FloorTime is fun and FEELS GOOD!  Research shows that children learn best through play.  When they don’t realize that they are learning.  Although joining in on your child’s play can feel a bit awkward at first, with time and practice, FloorTime becomes natural and enjoyable for both caregivers and their children.

As you can see, there are so many amazing benefits to DIR Floortime!

Pajareya, K, Sutchritpongsa, S, Kongkasuwan, R. (2019) DIR/Floortime® Parent Training Intervention for Children with Developmental Disabilities: a Randomized Controlled Trial. Siriraj Medical Journal. 2019. 71(5), 331-338.

Solomon, R., Van Egeren, L., Mahoney, G., Quon Huber, M., Zimmerman, P. (2014). PLAY Project Home Consultation Intervention Program for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics, 35(8), 475-485. http://www.playproject.org/assets/PLAY_Project_Home_Consultation_Intervention.1.pdf

Casenhiser D.M., Shanker, S., Stieben J. Learning Through Interaction in Children with Autism: Preliminary Data from a Social-Communication-Based Intervention. Autism, published online September 26, 2011.

  For more research related articles: