DIR/Floortime in Los Angeles
DIR/Floortime is a play-based approach that focuses on meeting children at their current developmental level and building upon their individual interests to promote social, emotion, language, and cognitive development. At Child & Family STEPS, I offer DIR/Floortime to help children reach new milestones by utilizing the power of play and supporting parents/caregivers with strengthening their understanding of and response to their child’s cues.
The Floortime milestones provide a roadmap for understanding where a child is developmentally and how to effectively support their next steps. By recognizing each child’s unique profile, including sensory and emotional differences, the DIR/Floortime approach helps families encourage natural, authentic engagement that builds towards higher levels of communication, thinking and emotional development.
Why Choose Child & Family STEPS for DIR/Floortime?
- Expertise in Early Childhood Development: With specialized training in child development and extensive knowledge of key developmental milestones, I understand how to meet children exactly where they are. This allows me to tailor DIR/Floortime strategies to each child’s unique needs and strengths and ensure that interventions are developmentally appropriate and effective.
- Experience With Autism & Developmental Delays: I have significant experience working with children on the autism spectrum and those facing various developmental delays. I carefully consider each child’s individual differences—such as sensory sensitivities or communication challenges—to create a supportive, effective therapeutic environment.
- Child-Centered & Relationship-Focused: My approach recognizes that a warm, trusting relationship between the child, therapist, and caregivers is the cornerstone of meaningful progress. By cultivating an environment where your child can freely explore, play, and learn at their own pace, we ensure a sense of safety and comfort throughout each session that helps children build confidence and motivation to engage in new skills.
- Collaborative Parent Involvement: Parents and caregivers play a central role in DIR/Floortime. I provide hands-on coaching, clear guidance, and ongoing support so you can confidently use Floortime strategies at home, amplifying the impact of our work together.
What to Expect in Our PCIT Sessions
1. Assessment & Goal Setting: We begin with an evaluation of your child’s developmental profile, sensory preferences, and social-emotional strengths. Together, we will identify goals such as improving interaction, regulation, communication, or specific skill sets. By identifying your child’s current developmental capacity, Floortime sessions can be tailored to meet them where they are and gently guide them toward the next milestone.
2. Play-Based Interaction: During sessions, caregivers and therapist use playful, relationship-based strategies to spark engagement and communication. We use toys, games, and activities your child enjoys, encouraging them to initiate and respond in ways that foster growth. For example, if a child is working on two-way communication, the focus may be on increasing back-and-forth interactions and encouraging purposeful signals.
3. Real-Time Support & Guidance: I will model, coach, and guide you through strategies to expand your child’s play while respecting their unique interests and differences. This might include sensory play, emotional support, or language facilitation.
4. Parent/Caregiver Involvement: Since relationships and emotional connections are central in DIR/Floortime, you will learn practical techniques to expand interactions at home during daily routines and play. Use of these strategies help reinforce progress between sessions, maintaining consistency for your child’s development.
5. Ongoing Collaboration: We will regularly discuss your child’s progress, refine goals, and adapt strategies as needed. My goal is to empower you with tools and insights to support your child’s growth in daily life.
FAQs about DIR/Floortime
What is DIR/Floortime?
DIR/Floortime is rooted in the idea that by engaging children at their level, following their lead during play, and honoring their unique differences, we can help them gain essential skills for communication, problem-solving, and emotional regulation. Unlike more structured therapy models, DIR/Floortime places a strong emphasis on relationship-building and positive engagement, utilizing interactions between the child and caregiver (or therapist) to support natural growth.
Key Principles of DIR/Floortime:
- Developmental Level: Understand the child’s current developmental stage to tailor interventions.
- Individual Differences: Recognize and adapt to each child’s unique sensory, motor, and emotional processing needs.
- Relationship-Based: Strengthen the parent-child and child–therapist bonds to foster trust, motivation, and progress.
Who Can Benefit From DIR/Floortime?
Parents Wanting to Better Understand Their Child’s Signals: Families who notice their child seems frustrated or disengaged during daily routines and want to learn how to pick up on subtle cues (like eye gaze, tone of voice, or body language) to respond more effectively.
Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD): Children who have difficulty with social interaction, communication, or flexible thinking, and can benefit from a more individualized, relationship-focused approach to strengthen core developmental skills.
Toddlers and Young Children with Developmental Delays: Children experiencing delays in speech or emotional regulation who may benefit from a play-based, supportive therapy model that meets them at their current developmental level.
Families Facing Sensory Processing Challenges: Children who may be over- or under-responsive to sensory stimuli (e.g., loud sounds, bright lights, textures) and need a therapeutic approach that respects these differences and integrates strategies to help them stay calm and engaged.
Infants and Toddlers Needing Extra Support with Early Milestones: Young children showing signs of delays or inconsistent progress in early milestones like shared attention, mutual engagement, and self-soothing, whose parents want guidance in fostering attachment and healthy social-emotional growth.
Children with Social or Behavioral Struggles: Children who have difficulty making friends, engaging in group activities, or coping with transitions, and would benefit from a one-on-one, relationship-based framework to improve cooperation and adaptability.
Parents Wishing to Strengthen Emotional Connection: Caregivers who hope to deepen their bond with their child and learn strategies to tune in to their child’s emotional world, building a foundation of trust, empathy, and communication.
What are the Key Benefit of DIR/Floortime?
- Improved Communication: Encourages back-and-forth exchanges and helps children learn to initiate and respond in interactions.
- Stronger Emotional Regulation: Promotes self-regulation by teaching children how to express and cope with emotions.
- Enhanced Social Skills: Develops the ability to engage in shared attention, cooperate, and build relationships with others.
- Increased Self-Esteem: Helps children feel valued and heard, boosting confidence and willingness to explore.
- Child-Led Learning: By following the child’s lead, activities feel more natural and motivating, laying a foundation for long-term development.