Children presented with Autism Spectrum
Disorder largely show incapability of reflecting higher levels of empathy and
creative & reflective thinking, no matter how much progress they make
academically or with language. Autism is described in the Diagnostic and
Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) as a mental
disorder that displays three critical deficits:
(1) Impaired development of social
interactions
(2) Impaired development of communicative
abilities and
(3) A restricted range of activities or
interests.
The social interaction impairment is
usually accompanied by a limited use of non-verbal behaviors (e.g. gestures or
facial expressions) that restricts the child from regulating social
interactions and communication. The severity of lack of these abilities can
differ from person to person and can be dependent on variables like age and
developmental level. A child with autism also often fails at developing peer
relationships and lacks the ability to experience social and emotional
reciprocity.
Dr. Stanley Greenspan developed the DIR Model (Developmental-Individual difference-Relationship Based) for providing care to autistic individuals. This model explains the various kinds of developments that take place during autism spectrum disorders. It acknowledges individual differences in children and puts stress on their unique physiological, psychological, neurological and communication differences. It focuses on relationship based interventions. The concept behind this is that children with autism miss critical developmental milestones that push their ability to connect. Due to these deficits, these individuals have a hard time in reciprocating interactions and therefore in establishing communication that is needed for abstract thinking and high-level social skills.
The DIR model is a comprehensive model that
is designed to stress on individual strengths and challenges of each child
based on his or her specific processing and developmental needs. It takes into
account the child’s and family’s individual profile so to create a handcrafted
intervention that is efficient for each child. Each component of the DIR model
is based on the philosophy that all learning takes place through interactive
relationships.
The DIR model provides the framework for
implementing such a focus through daily floor time sessions supporting
continuous engagement, symbolic play, thinking of higher order, as well as
ongoing problem solving and reality based logical conversations, reflective
“talk time”, play dates and friendships.
The kind of focus that the DIR model methodology puts
on individuality of each person, therefore, offers a perspective that takes
into account the individual’s intrinsic level of interest and then expands on
that initial level of motivation to incorporate mutual interest of others. As
such, these interventions prove to be highly effective for improving
interpersonal skills, communication and personal responsibility in autistic
individuals.
