About DIRFloortime®

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DIRFloortime®  is a developmental social pragmatic intervention introduced by Dr. Stanley Greenspan.  The DIR® model itself is the most important component, as it informs decisions made by clinicians in building a child's ability to engage and relate to others.  The 'D' is for Developmental Stages, or proposed benchmarks, that all humans go through as they develop and grow socially.  The "I" is for Individual Differences, such as physical, cognitive, linguistic, sensory, or emotional strengths and challenges that each person is born with and presents with biologically.   These differences make each person unique.  The 'R' is for Relationships and represents two concepts.  First, how the environment and/or caregivers relate and adapt to the child's individual differences.  Secondly, the 'R' represents the concept that each person learns best within the security of strong relationships.

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The play/activity sessions (often thought of when this approach is mentioned) are known as Floortime sessions and the direction of play is guided by the D, the I, and the R in any given situation.  Floortime is not necessarily only done on the floor.  Shared imagination in young children evolves into shared conversation in older kids and adults, which often requires symbolic and reflective thinking.  The DIR model that informs Floortime play is still used to inform 'Floortime' conversation, particularly when independent problem solving and self-reflection on one's own decision making is a goal (i.e., to have one be less 'prompt dependent').  The beautiful thing about the DIR model is that labels are not a focus; each child's individual strengths and challenges are identified regardless, with the strengths utilized as starting points to then expand and challenge the weaknesses in a meaningful, secure, and respectful way that promotes inherent motivation and skill acquisition.  For further information regarding DIRFloortime®, please refer to the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL) which was initially founded by Dr. Greenspan.  Their website is at https://www.ICDL.com