The Effect of Floor time in Autism Therapy

Floortime therapy has gained widespread prominence in the treatment of autistic children not only in the United States but also all around the world because of its simplistic but highly effective approach towards therapeutic play which can be used by both parents and healthcare professionals. 

Each child with Autism is different, and because of their varying needs and demands, the therapy to be used is also different for everyone and is adjusted to their personal needs.

Floortime model or the DIR (Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-based) model works mainly by stimulating the natural interests of a child. It is one of the many therapy methods and procedures recommended by the National Institute of Mental Health, which also advises pursuing only any one form of therapy at any given time.

The reason for that is most probably the mixing up of therapies and getting the patient somewhat put-off, not to mention the high unreliability in case of developmental scores. Using only any one form of therapy at any given time is deemed the most effective way for therapeutic procedures and also for their effective development and progress monitoring.

Autism generally affects the two most basic but important deficits in children – communication skills and play skills. 

Floortime therapy is basically hyperactive play which helps in the total engagement of the child who has difficulties in staying interested and focusing on something singular. It can be done by a licensed therapist, a suitable healthcare professional or even by parents themselves. The main aim is to get the child interested in something that’ll catch his/her attention and gain excitement.

It involves 20-30 minute play sessions where a child’s communication skills are slowly built up step by step. If done by parents, it helps in the bonding between parent and child. Autistic children do not play like regular children, so getting involved with their play on a deeper level is the key to their development. It’ll help the children flourish and the process has shown considerable promise and development during its implementation.

Floortime therapy was developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan, one of the most decorated child researcher and author in autism history.