Before children reach the capacity to be abstract in their thinking, you have to take the responsibility for their behaviour rather than punishing or expecting them to control their impulses. Once children are abstract, they are capable of understanding that other human beings have experiences that are different from their own, so you can set limits and discuss appropriate behaviour. Compliance alone does nothing to facilitate the necessary development of thinking, relating, and communicating. Focusing on connection and trust with our children with developmental differences, such as autism, is most important in facilitating a continuous flow of interaction with DIRFloortime®, working towards abstraction where a child is intrinsically motivated to follow societal norms.

Link to the full blog post with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the podcast here: https://affectautism.com/2016/07/05/limits/

Caregivers: Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network for support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: https://www.icdl.com/parents