What is Floortime?
Many therapists use Floortime to address many different skills in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including speech and language. This method is part of Developmental Individual-difference Relationship-based model (DIR), which is an approach to early intervention for autism and developmental delays. The psychiatrists Stanley Greenspan, M.D. and Serena Wieder, Ph.D. founded Floortime therapy, as a way to build communication and cognitive skills in young children.
You may have already guessed from the name, but Floortime involves the parents or speech therapist getting on the floor to engage the child in play. While some therapeutic methods are provided in a structured setting, Floortime occurs during play and is “directed” by the child. This means the adult will use toys or activities that the child chooses or shows interest in.
How can Floortime help my child?
Floortime encourages communication skills through play, which involves back-and-forth exchanges with the adult and child. These interactions help the child to develop communication and cognitive skills. While this method helps children develop speech and language skills, the primary goal is for a child to develop emotional and intellectual abilities.
This involves multiple skills: self-regulation and interest in the world, engaging and relating, intentionality and two-way communication. Also, Floortime can help with social problem-solving, mood regulation, formation of a sense of self, creating symbols, and using words and ideas. Finally, this method can also improve a child’s emotional thinking, logic and a sense of reality. As the child is developing these important skills by engaging with their parent or speech therapist, they are also becoming more effective communicators.