DIRect Connections
DIR/Floortime based developmental therapy
DIRect Connections is based on Greenspan's DIR/Floortime model to address a wide variety of developmental delays including, but not limited to:
- Speech / Language delays
- Sensory Integration difficulties
- Global / Pervasive Developmental Delays
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (including Aspergers and PDD-NOS)
- Cognitive Impairments
- ADHD and attention difficulties
- Emotional disorders
- Behavioral difficulties
- Social and Relationship problems
DIRect Connections assessments cover the many areas of development:
- Cognitive Skills
- Expressive Language
- Receptive Language
- Fine Motor
- Gross Motor
- Self-help Skills
- Social Emotional Functioning
- Behavior
- Sensory Processing
What is involved?
- Parent Consultation
- Initial Evaluation
- Follow-up to discuss evaluation report and therapy plan
- Therapy Services
- 2-3 hours per week is typical
- involves direct therapy and parent coaching
- Ongoing feedback and evaluations to respond to child's development
DIRect Connections Therapy involves:
- Floortime play-based approach to promote development, learn functional skills, build relationship capacity and address any emotional, social, behavioral, learning and relationship difficulties.
- DIR/Floortime focuses on creating meaningful interactions with children by building on natural interests, offering motivational encouragement with others to strengthen a child's areas of weakness.
How do we start?
- Contact our office to set up an initial consultation/evaluation (call 616-530-2224 or email info@encourageinstitute.com)
- We will review existing child records (provided by parents or guardians)
- With parents (and child if appropriate) we will discuss the child's strengths, needs and concerns.
- Initial evaluation
- 90 minute DIRect Connections evaluation
- Both parents and DIRect Connections therapist play / interact with the child
- Formal assessments and parent questionnaires may also be included
- Follow-up = DIRect Connections Therapy Plan
- individualized plan based on evaluation
- 2-3 hours typically recommended per week at either EnCourage location
What is DIR/Floortime?
*DIR stands for Developmental, Individual-difference Relationship-based and is an intervention approach used with children on the autism spectrum. DIR is the theory, Floortime is the play-based therapy practices.
*DIR/Floortime was developed by Stanley Greenspan and stands out as an intervention that takes the child's lead as the focus, using existing strengths and interests to promote growth. In this way the child develops the functional and relationship skills so often lacking with children on the autism spectrum.
*DIR/Floortimetherapy focuses on helping parents help their child through coaching and modeling, enhancing a child's growth and aiding generalization of positive functioning abilities within the clinic, home, school and other environments.
*Parents like DIR/Floortime because it puts fewer restrictions on children, but focuses on respecting the child's perspective. It is also less robotic and more direct than strict behavioral interventions. Children learn to express themselves through meaningful interactions.
*DIR stands for Developmental, Individual-difference Relationship-based and is an intervention approach used with children on the autism spectrum. DIR is the theory, Floortime is the play-based therapy practices.
*DIR/Floortime was developed by Stanley Greenspan and stands out as an intervention that takes the child's lead as the focus, using existing strengths and interests to promote growth. In this way the child develops the functional and relationship skills so often lacking with children on the autism spectrum.
*DIR/Floortimetherapy focuses on helping parents help their child through coaching and modeling, enhancing a child's growth and aiding generalization of positive functioning abilities within the clinic, home, school and other environments.
*Parents like DIR/Floortime because it puts fewer restrictions on children, but focuses on respecting the child's perspective. It is also less robotic and more direct than strict behavioral interventions. Children learn to express themselves through meaningful interactions.
Marcia (Harris) Last, M.S.
Child Development Specialist
Child Development Specialist
Marcia (Harris) Last is EnCourage's DIRect Connections therapist. Marcia has experience performing both individual and group therapy and was involved in the first Midwest full-time DIR/Floortime based school for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder. She has a passion for working with children with special needs, particularly focusing on children from birth to age 12. For more information about Marcia, click here.