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The Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based (DIR®) Model and its related Floortime™ approach was developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan and Dr. Serena Wieder for children with autism and related disorders of communicating and relating. It addresses the core difficulties in relating and communicating commonly associated with autism-spectrum disorders. The model aims to develop solid foundations for social, emotional, and intellectual capacities rather than focusing on teaching specific skills or addressing isolated behaviors. The D (Developmental) refers to where the child is developmentally, and understanding that we must support children at the levels where they need the most support. The DIR Model outlines six developmental milestones (functional emotional developmental capacities; FEDC’s) that are critical for every child to master in order to become regulated, engaged, take initiative, communicative, creative, intellectual, and emotional thinkers. These skills provide the necessary foundation for academic success and truly reciprocal empathic relationships. The I (Individual difference) focuses on the child’s unique aspects to their profiles, including their sensory processing and integration, motor planning, visual-spatial visual-motor, and other biological challenges. The R (Relationship-based) concerns the child’s relationships with parents/caregivers, primary educators, therapists, and peers. These relationships, which consist of affect-based interactions, are critical for mastering the foundation social-communicative and emotional capacities necessary for long-term success. Floortime™ is the treatment approach based on the Developmental Individual Difference and Relationship-based (DIR®) Model. It consists of the specific strategies and techniques that clinicians and parents/caregivers use to help children progress on the FEDC’s in light of their individual differences (e.g., sensory processing, visual-motor capacities, etc.) and in the context of their relationships. It involves following the child’s lead, using their emotional interests (“passions”), and meeting them “where they are at,” while challenging them to build longer and more highly developed interactions, relationships, creativity, and emotional thinking. Dr. Tobing-Puente is a DIR Certificate Candidate, Level II and has received extensive Floortime training by DIR Faculty members and other top clinicians in this field. For more information on Floortime, see www.icdl.com. For information on research supporting the DIR/Floortime model, please see http://www.icdl.com/dirFloortime/research/index.shtml
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DIR®/Floortime™ |
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Dr. Lauren Tobing-Puente, Licensed Psychologist, LLC Psychological Services for Children and Families 361 East 19th Street, New York, NY 10003 Phone: (917) 838-9274 Email: services@drtobingpuente.com |