Floortime

Floortime is a relationship-based therapy for children with autism and other developmental disorders. It was developed by child psychiatrists Stanley Greenspan and Serena Wieder. The therapy is designed to promote social, emotional, and intellectual growth by supporting naturalistic interactions between the child and their caregivers.

Overview

Floortime is based on the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-based (DIR) model, which emphasizes the role of emotional interactions in development. The therapy involves meeting the child at their current developmental level, and building upon their particular set of strengths.

In a typical Floortime session, the therapist follows the child's lead, engaging with them in their preferred activities, and using these interactions to promote more complex communication and social skills. The goal is to help the child climb the "developmental ladder," achieving milestones in their own time and in their own way.

Effectiveness

Research on the effectiveness of Floortime is limited, but some studies suggest that it may improve social interaction, communication, and functional play skills in children with autism. However, more rigorous research is needed to confirm these findings.

Criticism

Some critics argue that Floortime lacks empirical support, and that it is less effective than other therapies for autism, such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA). However, proponents of Floortime argue that it offers a more holistic approach to treatment, focusing on the child's overall development rather than specific behaviors.

See also

• Developmental psychology
• Child development
• Autism therapies

References

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