Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHistoryHow It WorksResearchPros and ConsGet StartedFind a Therapist
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
History
How It Works
Research
Pros and Cons
Get Started
Find a Therapist
Unlike behavioral therapies, Floortime focuses on helpingautistic childrenand teens make meaningful connections. Floortime is a low-risk, low-cost way to expand a child’s emotional andsocial skills. You can build a strongerparent or guardian-child bondwhile having fun.
This article presents information about Floortime, how it works, and some benefits as well as challenges. It will help you to learn more about play therapy for autistic kids and why Floortime may be an option.
Through structured interaction, Floortime supports autistic kids as they build behavioral, cognitive, and social skills. Over time, Floortime evolved into what is referred to as the Developmental, Individual Difference, Relationship-Based model of intervention (DIR).
DIR made it possible to train practitioners and run proper research studies to determine the efficacy of the model. The result was a more robust program with trained practitioners, coaches, courses for teachers and parents or guardians, and an increasing number of studies with positive results.
The ideas behind Floortime have changed therapies, developmental approaches, and thinking aboutautism.New forms of behavioral therapy, such as Pivotal Response, now borrow some of their methods from the Floortime philosophy.
Floortime and ABA
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A session consists of a therapist observing a child and engaging with that child in whatever they are doing, with the goal of “opening and closing circles of communication.” A circle of communication consists of any form of action and response, whether it is verbal or non-verbal, so long as there is communicative intent.
With Floortime methods, it’s important that the adult or sibling engages with the autistic child based on the child’s interests and actions, even if those actions have no obvious content or purpose.
For many young autistic kids, even those with verbal skills, the first step is simply to get the child’s attention focused outside of themselves and to encourage any type of engagement with another person.
Examples
One example of Floortime play is a child who is opening and closing a door with no obvious purpose. Their guardian hides behind the door and, when it opens, says “Boo!” The autistic child laughs and does it again to get the same response.
Or, a child is lining up trucks on the floor. A guardian rolls one truck backward and forward, making vrooming noises. The child reaches for the truck, but a guardian playfully hides the truck under one of their hands. The child lifts the guardian’s hand to get the truck and puts it back in the line.
Capacities
After multiple sessions and as the child becomes more interactive and willing to engage, the therapist can increase the complexity of the interactions, working toward specific goals described as “capacities.”
Originally there were only six capacities, but as autistic people were able to master them over time, new capacities were added for older children and adults.
Depending on the child, moving from one Floortime level to the next can take quite a while, and many children jump between capacities.For example, a child might be able to pretend to feed a stuffed dog while petting it sweetly (using symbols and creating emotional ideas), but still have difficulty with purposeful communication and problem-solving.
Depending on the child, moving from one Floortime level to the next can take quite a while, and many children jump between capacities.
For example, a child might be able to pretend to feed a stuffed dog while petting it sweetly (using symbols and creating emotional ideas), but still have difficulty with purposeful communication and problem-solving.
Behavioral therapies have very specific goals that are easy to measure. For instance, when asked, did the child complete a certain behavior? If so, how many times? Developmental therapies like Floortime are trickier to evaluate because each child’s experience and progress is unique.
Developmental therapies have different goals from behavioral therapy, some of which are difficult to measure—some of these include joyfulness, playfulness, creativity.
Despite difficulties in measuring success, most studies of DIR/Floortime show that it is helpful.In some cases, it can be very helpful in building social communication skills and engagement. Perhaps just as important is that Floortime is a good tool for building parent-child connections.
Floortime can be a terrific tool for building skills and emotional connections. It is not, however, the right choice for everyone. If you’re considering Floortime, consider these pros and cons.
Pros of FloortimeParents can become Floortime therapists with little trainingUseful for relationship-buildingIt’s portable—you can do Floortime play almost anywhereHelps kids develop meaningful human interactionVery safe activity
Parents can become Floortime therapists with little training
Useful for relationship-building
It’s portable—you can do Floortime play almost anywhere
Helps kids develop meaningful human interaction
Very safe activity
Not likely to be sufficient without behavioral therapy for kids with higher support needs
Few schools are willing to implement Floortime
Takes time, patience, and energy to implement
In terms of the pros, Floortime therapy is great for getting the whole family involved, and it has a lot of potential emotional benefits. You can do it almost anywhere—in the car, in the bathtub, or while tucking a child into bed.
Alternatives to FloortimeBesides Floortime, other options for play therapy can include:Relationship Development Intervention (RDI): Focuses on activities to encourage social relationshipsThe PLAY Project: An early intervention program for parents and kids ages 18 months to 6 years.Naturalistic applied behavioral therapy: Therapy to encourage positive behaviors in the child’s natural environment
Alternatives to Floortime
Besides Floortime, other options for play therapy can include:Relationship Development Intervention (RDI): Focuses on activities to encourage social relationshipsThe PLAY Project: An early intervention program for parents and kids ages 18 months to 6 years.Naturalistic applied behavioral therapy: Therapy to encourage positive behaviors in the child’s natural environment
Besides Floortime, other options for play therapy can include:
If you happen to live in an area where Floortime therapists are available (usually metropolitan areas), you may want to work with a therapist to get started. Once you feel comfortable, set up space you’ll use for your initial Floortime sessions. This can be a playroom, bedroom, or office.
How to Get Started With Floortime PlayFind a space in which you and the child are comfortableIf possible, videotape your first Floortime sessionSet a timer for 20 minutesObserve what the child is doing and then join themBe patient
How to Get Started With Floortime Play
Find a space in which you and the child are comfortableIf possible, videotape your first Floortime sessionSet a timer for 20 minutesObserve what the child is doing and then join themBe patient
Make sure your space is stocked with toys or objects that are fun and interactive. You might want to videotape (or have someone tape) your first few sessions so you can see what methods worked and what didn’t. Twenty minutes for a first session is a good guideline for timing.
Remember, your goal is communication—the goal is not to teach the autistic child special skills or games, or to encourage them to come to you.
Oftentimes, “playful obstruction” (stopping the child from what they are doing in a playful manner) is a good way to get their attention and have them interact with you.
Most important is patience. While it may be difficult getting started, you and the child need to build trust—this takes time. Eventually, your Floortime sessions may become the best part of your (and the child’s) day!
You can find a Floortime therapist through theICDL online directoryor through a Google search. Even if you intend to provide Floortime therapy yourself, it can be very helpful to work with an expert as you get started. Therapists can:
In addition, Floortime therapists are sometimes able to help you advocate for Floortime services in the school setting, find an appropriate private school, or help you to find support groups or like-minded families in the area.
Summary
Floortime, like other developmental therapies, is just one of several approaches that can help an autistic child to build skills, make connections, and develop emotionally.
Even if you decide that Floortime is a good option for you and the child in your care, it’s also a good idea to explore additional therapies. The Floortime program has both pros and cons to consider.
Keep in mind that you may want to work on a therapeutic schedule that includes speech and social skills therapies, both of which address core autism traits. Many families find ways to combine developmental programs like Floortime with behavioral therapies. This can be ideal to provide a well-rounded program for a child.
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4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Divya KY, Begum F, John SE, Francis F.DIR/Floor Time in Engaging Autism: A Systematic Review.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2023 Apr 14;28(2):132-138. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_272_21.Medavarapu S, Marella LL, Sangem A, Kairam R.Where is the evidence? A narrative literature review of the treatment modalities for autism spectrum disorders.Cureus. 2019;11(1):e3901. doi:10.7759/cureus.3901The PLAY Project.About the PLAY project.ICDL.Interdisciplinary council on development and learning.Additional ReadingLiao S-T, Hwang Y-S, Chen Y-J, Lee P, Chen S-J, Lin L-Y. Home-based DIR/Floortime™ Intervention Program for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Findings. Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics. 2014;34(4):356-67. doi:10.3109/01942638.2014.918074Solomon R, Van Egeren L, Mahoney G, Quon Huber M, Zimmerman P. PLAY Project Home Consultation Intervention Program for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2014;35(8):475-85.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Divya KY, Begum F, John SE, Francis F.DIR/Floor Time in Engaging Autism: A Systematic Review.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2023 Apr 14;28(2):132-138. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_272_21.Medavarapu S, Marella LL, Sangem A, Kairam R.Where is the evidence? A narrative literature review of the treatment modalities for autism spectrum disorders.Cureus. 2019;11(1):e3901. doi:10.7759/cureus.3901The PLAY Project.About the PLAY project.ICDL.Interdisciplinary council on development and learning.Additional ReadingLiao S-T, Hwang Y-S, Chen Y-J, Lee P, Chen S-J, Lin L-Y. Home-based DIR/Floortime™ Intervention Program for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Findings. Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics. 2014;34(4):356-67. doi:10.3109/01942638.2014.918074Solomon R, Van Egeren L, Mahoney G, Quon Huber M, Zimmerman P. PLAY Project Home Consultation Intervention Program for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2014;35(8):475-85.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Divya KY, Begum F, John SE, Francis F.DIR/Floor Time in Engaging Autism: A Systematic Review.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2023 Apr 14;28(2):132-138. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_272_21.Medavarapu S, Marella LL, Sangem A, Kairam R.Where is the evidence? A narrative literature review of the treatment modalities for autism spectrum disorders.Cureus. 2019;11(1):e3901. doi:10.7759/cureus.3901The PLAY Project.About the PLAY project.ICDL.Interdisciplinary council on development and learning.
Divya KY, Begum F, John SE, Francis F.DIR/Floor Time in Engaging Autism: A Systematic Review.Iran J Nurs Midwifery Res. 2023 Apr 14;28(2):132-138. doi:10.4103/ijnmr.ijnmr_272_21.
Medavarapu S, Marella LL, Sangem A, Kairam R.Where is the evidence? A narrative literature review of the treatment modalities for autism spectrum disorders.Cureus. 2019;11(1):e3901. doi:10.7759/cureus.3901
The PLAY Project.About the PLAY project.
ICDL.Interdisciplinary council on development and learning.
Liao S-T, Hwang Y-S, Chen Y-J, Lee P, Chen S-J, Lin L-Y. Home-based DIR/Floortime™ Intervention Program for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Findings. Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics. 2014;34(4):356-67. doi:10.3109/01942638.2014.918074Solomon R, Van Egeren L, Mahoney G, Quon Huber M, Zimmerman P. PLAY Project Home Consultation Intervention Program for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2014;35(8):475-85.
Liao S-T, Hwang Y-S, Chen Y-J, Lee P, Chen S-J, Lin L-Y. Home-based DIR/Floortime™ Intervention Program for Preschool Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders: Preliminary Findings. Physical & Occupational Therapy In Pediatrics. 2014;34(4):356-67. doi:10.3109/01942638.2014.918074
Solomon R, Van Egeren L, Mahoney G, Quon Huber M, Zimmerman P. PLAY Project Home Consultation Intervention Program for Young Children With Autism Spectrum Disorders: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics. 2014;35(8):475-85.
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