DIR / Floortime

Developmentally focused (D)

We meet the child at their developmental level and build from there.

This means we assess the child’s capacities to be calm, alert and focused, jointly engaged for two-way back and forth interaction as these are developmental skills that form the basis for the development of higher-level thinking and learning and are required to help the child function in the world.

These are capacities that develop effortlessly in most children in a developmental progression, however some children have neurobiological differences that make this natural developmental progression more challenging.

We use this information about the child’s developmental profile to help guide us on how to set developmentally appropriate goals for that child.

Relationship-based (R)

Assessment and intervention are dynamic processes in which a child’s caregivers and others with key relationships with the child play an essential role, and the child’s relationships are harnessed as we work towards goal areas.

Individual differences profile (I)

We assess for the child’s individual differences profile (I) in neurobiological areas including strengths, as well as the areas that are challenged.

Each child will have their own unique ‘thumbprint’ of where they are strong and where they need help.

Information we learn about the child’s individual difference profile helps us to design therapeutic strategies to help the child towards goal areas.

Interventions are designed to achieve functional outcomes that support the child with what they want and need to do for healthy development, participation and independence.

We draw on different tools as well as Floortime and this includes social thinking, Hanen programs, SOS approach to mealtimes, PROMPT, augmentative communication systems, visual supports, and the beyond behaviours approach.

To find out more about DIR / Floortime or other similar programs available near you, contact us today.