We chose play from Affect Autism

With our focus on schools that incorporate the Developmental, Individual differences, Relationship-based (DIR®) model, we spoke with the Educational Supervisor of the Rebecca School, Rae Leeper, who has worked at the School since it opened in 2006.

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/2017/10/02/rebecca-school/

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

Foundation Academics for children with developmental differences, including autism, refers to strengthening the early functional emotional developmental capacities (FEDCs) that most neurotypical children master by about 48 months old. Without having these foundational developmental capacities for learning, attempts at traditional academics can be memory-based rather than thinking-based.

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/2017/09/18/foundation-academics/

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

The last batch of episodes have discussed development and the developmental approach. We’ve covered how development happens spontaneously and cannot be taught, and how when the right conditions are in place, development happens. But what does “development happens” look like and what comes along with these changes? To help us unpack developmental changes, we have the privilege of being joined by Maude Le Roux, Occupational Therapist, DIR® Expert Trainer, and founder of A Total Approach in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2017/09/05/developmental-growth/

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

In a developmental approach to autism, a good relationship will help you interpret a child's intentions and guide behaviour. Intentions can be misinterpreted when behaviour doesn't match. Knowing the child's intentions helps the child feel understood, reducing anxiety and behavioural outbursts.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: https://affectautism.com/2017/07/25/intention/

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

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/2017/01/31/analysis/

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

This episode is a complement to last year’s post entitled, Motor Planning and Sequencing Challenges in Children with Developmental Differences which was a brief overview of motor planning and sequencing challenges. This time, we dive right in with a lot more detail with Maude LeRoux, DIRFloortime® Expert Training Leader and Occupational Therapist who runs A Total Approach clinic in Glen Mills, Pennsylvania.

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/2016/12/20/motor-planning/

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

In DIRFloortime® we “follow the child’s lead”. This statement has been one of the most misunderstood aspects of the practice. It does not mean that we just follow whatever the child is doing. We talked about this before, but now we will explore what it means in a bit more depth.

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/2016/11/15/follow/

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

“Early intervention” for Autism in Ontario (in Canada) has been in the news non-stop in 2016. The focus has been on who gets funding, but the most important topics have been left out of the conversation. This episode we cover patient-centered outcomes, parent choice, and disability rights.

Link to the show notes with links to key discussion points and other ways to view or hear the episode here: ⁠https://affectautism.com/2016/08/30/patient-centered-outcomes/

Consider joining our DIR® Parent Network or becoming an Affect Autism member for bonus content and support from a like-minded community of Floortimers here: ⁠⁠https://affectautism.com/support/

The goal in DIRFloortime® for children with developmental differences including autism is to challenge the child with just enough playful tension, while keeping in mind where they are developmentally, and that the child stays emotionally invested in it with you, “like driving with your foot simultaneously on the gas and brakes”. Being slightly bored and sitting in that place of tension and subdued frustration is where the learning happens to promote thinking, relating, and communicating.

* Language Disclaimer: It’s important to note that the developmental components of the DIR® model are now referred to as “capacities,” rather than levels, stages, or milestones—terms previously used including when this podcast episode was recorded in 2016—because development is not necessarily linear. We no longer use the terms, “ladder” or “levels.”

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/2016/07/19/developmentally/

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