DIRFloortime and Autism: An Overview of the "D.I.R. Floor-time" Approach and the Latest Research [Sponsored Session]

This session will provide an overview of the use DIRFloortime® with children on the Autism Spectrum. “D.I.R. Floor-time” is an intervention based on the DIR® model developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan. The “D” stands for Developmental: promoting each person’s development to their fullest potential. The “I” stands for Individual Differences: understanding each person’s unique characteristics. The “R” stands for Relationship-based: using the power of the relationship between the individual and their parent, teacher, therapist, or other caregiver. Recent research has provided an evidence-base that supports this model which has been effectively helping children with autism for more than 20 years. More than simply a technique to change behavior, DIRFloortime® is a method for understanding and promoting each child’s development to their fullest potential. DIRFloortime® and Autism: An Overview of the “D.I.R. Floor-time” Approach, the Latest Research, and Its Practical Use.

Participants will be able to:

identify the key features of relationship-based approaches.

Participants will be able to:

discuss key principles and basic strategies of Floortime.

Participants will be able to:

understand the role of relationship and family in the DIR® model.

Participants will be able to:

understand the essential role of affect in the implementation of Floortime

Participants will be able to:

identify evidence to support the DIRFloortime® approach.

All Audiences:

Clinical & School Psychologists, Counselors, Social Workers, General Educators, Special Educators, Paraprofessionals, Principals, Pupil Service Directors, Superintendents, Occupational Therapists, Parents, Family Members, Grandparents, Caregivers, Speech-Language Pathologists

Level of Content:

Intermediate (Comfortable Understanding of Autism, Practical Application)

Target Ages:

Infant/Toddler, Preschool, Elementary, Middle School, High School

Workshop Abstract:

This session will provide an overview of the use DIRFloortime® with children on the Autism Spectrum. “D.I.R. Floor-time” is an intervention based on the DIR® model developed by Dr. Stanley Greenspan. The “D” stands for Developmental: promoting each person’s development to their fullest potential. The “I” stands for Individual Differences: understanding each person’s unique characteristics. The “R” stands for Relationship-based: using the power of the relationship between the individual and their parent, teacher, therapist, or other caregiver. Recent research has provided an evidence-base that supports this model which has been effectively helping children with autism for more than 20 years. More than simply a technique to change behavior, DIRFloortime® is a method for understanding and promoting each child’s development to their fullest potential.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to discuss key principles and basic strategies of Floortime.
• Participants will be able to identify the key features of relationship-based approaches.
• Participants will be able to understand the role of relationship and family in the DIR® model.

Track: Lifespan 1 - Birth to 5

Content Area: Current Research

Presenters:

Jeffrey Guenzel, MA, LPC
Professional Counselor
ICDL

Mr. Jeffrey Guenzel is the Chief Executive Officer of the Interdisciplinary Council on Development and Learning (ICDL). Before joining ICDL, Mr. Guenzel held key leadership positions in government and the private sector serving as an executive director of a very successful not-for-profit. Mr. Guenzel is a professional counselor that has work as a counselor for over 25 years and dedicated his career to serving children and families.

Gilbert Tippy, Psy.D.
Clinical Director
Rebecca School

Gil Tippy is one of the founders of, and is the Clinical Director, of the Rebecca School in NYC. Co-author, with Stanley Greenspan, of “Respecting Autism: The Rebecca School DIR Casebook for Parents and Professionals”. Dr. Tippy has been a teacher, a psychologist or both for the last 35 years.

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