What is DIR® Floortime?
DIR® Floortime is more than a therapy technique—it’s a philosophy of understanding and respecting the unique way each child experiences the world. By focusing on connection, communication, and development, it offers a nurturing path forward for children and families alike. As a speech-pathologist I have seen this approach make all the difference, both in an outpatient clinic and an ABA center where I taught the model to BCBA’s and behavior technicians.
It stands for D-developmental, I-Individual Differences, R-relationship-based.
Developmentally, children follow the same general trajectory, just at different times. By identifying the stages of a child’s development we can begin to know where to focus so they can move up the developmental ladder. For example, if a child is not yet answering WH questions, we may begin by strengthening the developmental stages that come before that. If they are answering questions but hyper-focused on one topic or play scheme, that informs where to begin as well.
Individual Differences- There are SO many! But in DIR® Floortime, we take a close look at each area, including:
Sensory Processing (I apply what I have learned over the years from Occupational Therapists (OT’s) and can consult with your child’s OT
Language Processing
Motor Planning and Sequencing
Interests
Relationship-Based- this is the central tenant of DIR®
It emphasizes that emotional relationships are foundational for learning and development. Through warm, nurturing, responsive interactions with trusted adults, a child builds the capacity for:
Emotional regulation- co-regulation leads to self-regulation
Social communication
Trust and attachment
Flexible thinking and problem solving
Who Can Benefit?
DIR® Floortime is widely used with:
Children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
Children with sensory processing challenges
Children with developmental delays or emotional difficulties
Why Parents and Professionals Choose DIR® Floortime
Strengthens relationships between child and caregiver
Builds foundational skills like attention, regulation, and communication
Honors the child’s interests and individuality
Encourages growth from the inside out, rather than imposing external behaviors
Backed by growing research and clinical practice experience
Why blend Speech Therapy with DIR® Floortime?
Speech therapy traditionally focuses on language, articulation, communication strategies, and sometimes feeding/swallowing. DIR® Floortime focuses on emotional connection, engagement, and developmental progression. When combined:
DIR provides the why and how: emotional motivation, relationship, and developmental context.
Speech therapy provides the what: targeted language goals, vocabulary building, communication techniques.
Together, they help the child communicate not just more — but more meaningfully. Meaningful communication is the key to more communication.
Benefits of Mixing Speech Therapy with DIR® Floortime
Promotes authentic, spontaneous communication
Builds social-emotional foundations for language
Helps nonverbal children develop preverbal skills (engagement, joint attention, gestures)
Encourages generalization of speech skills beyond the therapy room or place
Aligns with neurodiversity-affirming practice (child-led, respectful of differences)
Send me an email or schedule a consult to learn more about my practice and how it could benefit your child. I have been DIR® trained through the The International Council on Development and learning.
