Exploring the Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based (DIR)/Floortime Model

Abstract

This thesis examined the developmental, individual-difference, relationship-based (DIR)/Floortime model and its impact as an early intervention strategy. The DIR/Floortime model, is a relationship-based model of intervention for Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), developed by Greenspan and Wieder to promote behavioral, cognitive, and social skills. The review of the literature discovered the effectiveness of DIR/Floortime with children diagnosed with ASD and the limitations such as limited parent engagement and outside factors such as work, family life, or other children being present. Given the findings from the literature, 15 intervention specialists, all from the same organization, completed the Exploring the Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based (DIR)/Floortime Model survey. The online survey was designed to identify key features and limitations of DIR/Floortime, therapists' perceptions on utilizing this intervention strategy, and how a child's progress is measured through DIR/Floortime. The themes discovered from the survey included key features and limitations of DIR/Floortime, learned techniques, how a child's progress is measured, and overall experience and likeliness to recommend DIR/Floortime as an intervention strategy. The study included limitations based on the convenience sample, implications, and ideas for future research.