Psychological problems cause people of all ages to encounter various limitations in their daily lives. Therapy treatments are a solution method for many problems, especially in children.
Floortime therapy is a therapy program developed for children with down syndrome, autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit, language and speech disorder, developmental delay, hyperactive, emotional problems. It aims at the better development of the child and language. By assessing sensory and motor skills, it determines what limitations are. It is a program developed for the solution. The DIR (Development - Indiuvual - Regulation) model aims to follow the developmental level of the child and to progress with these follow-ups.
DIR Floortime therapy is defined as a developmental, relationship-building model based on individual differences. Floortime therapy includes a wide range of content such as special education, speech therapy, sensory integration and parental counseling support services. It is used as a playing technique on the floor.
The specialist sits on the floor and works together with the child in order to monitor and evaluate the developmental stages of the child and to ensure his progress.
To Who Is Floortime Therapy Applied ?
Some developmental difficulties and sensory disorders in children may manifest themselves more as they get older. Floortime therapy aims to identify the child's developmental and psychological problems and to ensure their development. It is a technique applied to children with Trying to find solutions to children's developmental problems, floortime therapy is applied by expert therapists who have received DIR Floortime training and are certified by ICDL.
How is Floortime Therapy Applied?
Floortime therapy, which is one of the child therapy techniques, can be applied by following the child's leadership and accepting the therapist into his/her own world. starts. The therapist, who starts to spend time with the child, tries to find out what the emotional reasons are behind every meaningless act that the child does and tries to show the child that he accepts the movements. First, he/she shares with the child and shows that he/she understands him/her.
This makes the child feel comfortable and open up to the expert. Then they are contacted and the child starts to follow an expert in the works done together and to make sounds like him. Thanks to this technique, the child goes out of his inner world and learns many things by following and imitating. Floortime therapy sessions can be continued until the child reaches the desired level of development.
The Difference Between Floortime and Play Therapy
Looking at the goals of floortime therapy and play therapy, both It is seen that the solution of the psychological and developmental problems of the child is included in the solution. However, there are important differences between the two therapy techniques. Floortime therapy provides the application of techniques that will enable the child to develop in the social, sensory and communicative area. Play therapy, on the other hand, aims to help the child get rid of psychological problems and to express himself better. Play therapy is applied to children who experience various traumatic situations, such as abuse, violence, fear, jealousy. Allows work on target. The first goal is to understand and guide the child what their natural interest is to get to know them. The second goal is to enable the child to communicate with his environment and be in the shared world after the developmental stage is completed.
DIR Model
The DIR model, that is, development, is a therapy technique based on individual differences and communication. It ensures the detailed evaluation of the child and the implementation of the intervention program according to the identified limitations. The stages of the DIR model are:
- D (development) Developmental part,
- I (Individual Differences) Individual differences,
- R (Relationship Based) Relationship-based part,
There are developmental stages under each section and children are evaluated according to their status in these stages. The steps applied sequentially enable the child to open up to the outside world in a short time and to communicate more easily. Children process the environmental stimuli they receive emotionally differently. This determines the emotional state of children and their sense of belonging. In the individual differences stage, it is aimed to adapt the child's behavior to the environment.
Stages of DIR Floortime Therapy
DIR floortime therapy aims to identify the child's strengths and weaknesses. and aims to better understand the child. The following stages are applied in floortime therapy in order to eliminate developmental disorders and to carry out solution-oriented studies:- Regulation and attention,
- Together,
- Two-way communication for the target ,
- Collaborative problem solving skills,
- Symbolic play,
- Bridge between ideas,
These stages are known as the stages that are not developed and overlooked in children with autism spectrum disorder and the therapies are tried to be applied accordingly.
Developmental Section
DIR floortime therapy It ensures the determination of the child's position in the D, that is, the developmental part of the program and the implementation of the necessary intervention program. The developmental stages of treatment-oriented practices are as follows:- Maintaining calmness,
- Getting used to togetherness,
- Ensuring two-way communication,
- Perception of self and problem solving,
- Explanation and representation of thoughts,
- Abstract thinking,
It is provided to progress step by step from the sessions to be applied, by looking at which of the steps and where. observing and addressing provides. It is observed that children react differently to environmental stimuli, depending on their age, gender, and their psychological or emotional state. With the therapy method, it is aimed to eliminate extreme emotions in the child and return to normal life conditions.
Relationship Based Section
R ie Relationship – based DIR floortime therapy The (relationship-based) part is the practice of interacting that will ensure the right communication, taking into account the individual differences and developmental level of the child. The specialist determines the structure of the therapy room and the types of toys to be found according to individual differences and developmental levels. The structure of the room and the toys are very effective on the children. The important thing is to be able to stretch into the child's world and show that he understands himself very well by accompanying him. Relationship-based therapy is aimed at completing the child's communication development stages.
Joint Problem Solving Skill
At each stage of the floortime therapy program, it is aimed to enter the child's world and what to do. trying to determine what is needed. In the joint problem solving skill stage, it is tried to teach how interactions can occur by using gestures and facial expressions in order to express needs and feelings. In order to develop problem solving skills, studies are carried out on the interests of the child and during these studies, the discovery of emotions and taking them under control are taught.
Bridging Between Ideas
Ideas The phase of bridge building aims to develop the perception of emotional thinking, logic, reality and inference. The child's motor skills and mood According to this, applying different activities will enable him to better understand his own feelings and ideas, and will be able to start to make connections between different thoughts.Read: 0
