Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship Based (DIR) model DIR is the Developmental, Individual-differences, and Relationship Based (DIR) model. This evidenced based model is used to help autistic people and others with developmental challenges. Developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, DIR considers the critical role of social emotional development starting at birth and continuing through a lifetime. The model...
An important early fine motor milestone that children develop is the ability to feed themselves with utensils. Toddlers typically start using a spoon for eating between the ages of 10-12 months (CDC). A child will continue to develop towards increasingly effective use of a wide variety of eating utensils for self feeding as they get...
Fall is here! When providing your child with developmentally appropriate activities, utilizing the natural materials around you is a great way to foster a love of nature and keep costs down. Fall leaves you find in your neighborhood are a great material with a variety of different uses. Here are some fun ideas for using...
Babies are amazing creatures. I know . I have 2. They grow up fast! As with everywhere else in the United states, moms in Mountain View, CA are smart. We know that babies need to meet certain developmental milestones as described by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). But it’s so confusing! We go to...
I love toys! I’m not sure if when I was a kid I just didn’t have enough or if I just have an inner child that needs extra attention. But I love toys. My sadness occurs when I go to big box stores such as Target or Walmart. I literally don’t understand how the toy...
I am an occupational therapist using DIR . I took a DIR/FCD training about 3 years ago. It was an intensive 1 year certification aimed at teaching professionals such as myself, how to work with children who have different abilities. The training focuses on consideration of Developmental levels, Individual sensory differences and building Relationships. It...
There are many reasons your child's hand may hurt when writing. Typically, it is from decreased strength. The hard part is that the strength isn’t just from the hand. It is from the core, shoulder, forearm, wrist, and then hand. All of those areas need to get strengthened.
Learning how to write or how to improve your writing does not mean you need to sit and practice writing letters for hours at a time!
