Interventions for Autism: Floortime therapy

Floortime is a therapy derived from the Developmental, Individual-differences, Relationship-based (DIR) model. This developmental therapy has for its core precept to understand the child’s sensory differences and to use these to help children with ASD in their development. The emphasis is placed on the creation of emotionally meaningful learning experiences that will encourage developmental abilities.

The idea behind the therapy is that children can expand their circles of communication and their strengths when the requests are made at their developmental level.

Floortime sessions emphasize play interactions in a calm setting. Parents or professionals will establish the foundations for shared attention, engagement, and problem solving while playing with the child.

Floortime outlines 6 developmental stages that children with autism have often missed or not mastered:

• Regulation and Interest in the World
• Engagement and Relating
• Two way intentional communication
• Continuous Social Problem solving
• Symbolic Play
• Bridging Ideas

Other interventions for Autism: 
– Applied Behavior Analysis
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
– Speech-Language Therapy
– Peer-Mediated Instruction
– Sensory Integration Therapy
– SCERTS model
– Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)
– Augmentative and Alternative Communication

Pictogenda – a diary planner with pictures!

 The Pictogenda is a diary designed for children and adults that have difficulties reading and writing and is all based on pictograms. Text is replaced with pictorial images in form of stickers that make it easier for people with autism to plan their activities  and communicate with others.

The Pictogenda is also available in French and Dutch.

On the Spectrum – photographic project

The project On the Spectrum, a work from the photographer Stacie Turner, depicts only children with autism. Stacie says that children with autism “don’t dissemble but are wholly honest for the camera”.

See the project here
Other sources: Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiave

Interventions for Autism: Early Start Denver Model (ESDM)

This intervention uses play as a learning tool for children with autism and is conducted in a structured teaching setting and relationship-based approach in the child’s home. Used in very young children with autism (18 to 30 months) on a 20-hours per week basis, plus 5 or more hours of guided care provided by the parents, this intervention has proven to improve IQ, social interaction and language abilities.

Studies have demonstrated that it is the earliness of the intervention and not the type of intervention itself that leads to improvements in the child.

Source: American Psychological Association

Other interventions for Autism: 
– Applied Behavior Analysis
– Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
– Speech-Language Therapy
– Peer-Mediated Instruction
– Sensory Integration Therapy
– SCERTS model
– Floortime therapy
– Augmentative and Alternative Communication