Home-based DIR/Floortime™ Intervention Program for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Findings

Abstract

Improving parent-child interaction and play are important outcomes for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Play is the primary occupation of children. In this pilot study conducted in Taiwan, we investigated the effects of the developmental, individual difference, and relationship-based (DIR)/Floortime home-based intervention program on social interaction and adaptive functioning of children with ASD. The participants were 11 children with ASD, ages from 45-69 months, and their mothers. Mothers were instructed the principles of the approach by an occupational therapist. All 11 children and their mothers completed the 10-week home-based intervention program, undergoing an average of 109.7 hr of intervention. Children made significant changes in mean scores for emotional functioning, communication, and daily living skills. Moreover, the mothers perceived positive changes in their parent-child interactions. The findings of this pilot study contribute to knowledge regarding the effects of home-based DIR/Floortime intervention program on increasing the social interaction and adaptive behaviors of children with ASD in Taiwan.

Assessing early implementation of state autism insurance mandates

“…Participants from four states mentioned that the mandates affected the types of services available to children with autism. Participants from three states discussed the positive change of having increased availability of new types of services; however, participants from Massachusetts mentioned that because the mandate exclusively covers ABA, access to behavioral treatments that are not specifically identified as ABA such as Floortime (Liao et al, 2014), and the Denver Early Start Model (Rogers and Dawson, 2010) was restricted.…”

“…Covering solely ABA severely limited the types of evidence-based behavioral treatments that were accessible to individuals with autism in the state. In contrast, participants in Minnesota discussed flexibility in terms of the types of behavioral services covered under the mandate, such as a ABA, Floortime (Liao et al, 2014), and the Early Start Denver Model (Rogers and Dawson, 2010), as a key reason for successful implementation of the state autism mandate. Providing coverage for a variety of evidence-based behavioral treatments likely reduces the increase in demand for a specific type of service and allows for a more inclusive set of provider types in the market.…”

Burden of major depressive disorder and quality of life among mothers of children with autism spectrum disorder in urban bangladesh

“…Parent based education program helps caregivers to interact and communicate with their children with ASD and promote the development of their children's communication and behavioral skills, parent-child interaction, as well as parent well-being [Beaudoin, Sébire, & Couture, 2014]. Recent studies in China and Sri Lanka suggest that home-based parental training programs through play activity, as well as music therapy, can improve child-related outcomes such as communication, daily living skills, eye contact, and social reciprocity [Liao et al, 2014;Perera, Jeewandara, Seneviratne, & Guruge, 2016;Yang, 2016].…”

Fad, Pseudoscientific, and Controversial Interventions

“…They also create opportunities for interaction attempts by blocking access to preferred items/activities or intentionally misinterpreting the child (Hefl in & Simpson, 1998 ). Some evidence has emerged (see Liao et al, 2014 ;Pajareya & Nopmaneejumruslers, 2011 ;Solomon, Necheles, Ferch, & Bruckman, 2007 ) to suggest Floortime may be increase social interactions and engagement of young children with ASD. Similar to the SRP model however, Floortime proponents have been advocating its use for over 20 years, albeit without scientifi c evidence of its effectiveness.…”