ASAT
Developmentally-based Individual-difference Relationship-based intervention (DIR)/Floor Time
Description: Also called Greenspan Method. In Floor Time, the adult aims to engage the child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by following his/her lead during play activities that capture the child’s interest. The adult seeks to extend or elaborate on the child’s activities. For example, if the child wants to line up cars in a row, the parent or service provider may playfully intrude in this activity (e.g., moving one of the cars or blocking a car and asking where it’s going). Floor Time is usually provided by parents under the direction of psychologists. However, it may be an intervention strategy used by professionals in other disciplines such as speech therapy or special education.
Research Summary: DIR is widely considered to be a plausible intervention approach (i.e., one that could be effective), but it has not been evaluated in peer-reviewed studies with strong experimental designs (National Research Council, 2001). An uncontrolled study reported favorable outcomes (Solomon et al., 2007).
Recommendations: An important area for future research is to evaluate DIR in studies with strong experimental designs. Professionals should present DIR as untested and encourage families who are considering this intervention to evaluate it carefully.
Selected References:
Selected scientific study
Solomon, R., Necheles, J., Ferch, C., & Bruckman, D. (2007). Pilot study of a parent training program for young children with autism: The PLAY project home consultation program. Autism, 11(3), 205-224.
Systematic reviews of scientific studies:
National Research Council (2001). Educating Children with Autism. Washington DC: National Academy Press.