There is no dearth of behavioral models that target the developmentally
deficient areas in children and adolescents who are on the spectrum. However,
no model has come as far as the DIR Model in terms of efficacy and popularity. The
popularity came only because this model, which was developed by Dr. Stanley
Greenspan was sufficient and was able to effectuate noticeable improvements to
the deficient areas as well as the challenges faced by autistic children.
Some of the key strategies of the DIR model which can be
implemented very conveniently by the parents at home are-
- Enumerate some real life experiences of your child’s life which he/she enjoys and play out those experiences using appropriate aids and toys.
- Responding to the wishes and desires of your child by pretend play.
- Role playing using props, puppets and costumes
- Using figures and dolls in games to represent family members
- Assigning symbolic definitions for objects in games
- Replacing an object with another while using props in games and activities
- Suggesting alternative ways to do a particular task/activity and when your child successfully completes the same using the alternate method, praise him/her for coming up with a new idea.
- Using obstacles and break downs in the game.
- Using figures of your child’s favorite cartoon character or superhero in the games
- Employing unconventional ways to help your child overcome his/her fears like introducing the topic or idea gently in a game.
- Focusing on the process as you play with your child by identifying the beginning, middle and end.
- Reflecting on ideas, themes and feelings in a story and relating them with real life experiences.
These are some simple steps which are a part of the DIR Model that can be
implemented by parents of children on the autism spectrum to help the children
overcome all sensory, social, verbal, cognitive and intellectual challenges.
